Paul Codling

Name:
Codling, Paul

Date of Booking:
05/27/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
DISORDERLY CONDUCT

DUI REFUSAL

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on May 26, 2026]

On 05/26/2026, at approximately 1750 hours, I, Officer Campbell #220, responded Code One (no lights or sirens) to El Patron in reference to an intoxicated male causing a disturbance inside the restaurant. Prior to my arrival, dispatch advised that the male, later identified as Paul Codling, was walking out of the restaurant and that the caller stated he was getting into a vehicle.

When I arrived on scene, Sgt. Limones #210 was also pulling into the parking lot and asked dispatch what type of vehicle Paul was getting into. Dispatch advised it was a gray Ford F-150 bearing Georgia tag [REDACTED]. I observed the vehicle parked near the entrance to El Patron. As I pulled in, I also noticed a female pointing the vehicle out to me.

I exited my patrol car and observed Paul sitting in the passenger seat of the F-150. I also noticed the vehicle was running and no one else was inside with him. I asked Paul what was going on, and he stated he was just hanging out. I then asked Paul why he was there, and he stated, “I don’t know.” Paul rolled his window down completely, and I immediately smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle. I also noticed Paul was heavily slurring his words and had bloodshot, watery eyes.

I advised Paul that someone had called because he was acting disorderly and yelling inside the restaurant. I asked Paul if he remembered that, and he stated no. Paul then stated, “I wasn’t driving.” I asked Paul for his driver’s license. I asked him who was with him, and he hesitated before stating he was with a girl, but again said he was not driving.

I then asked Paul who drove him there. He hesitated again, shook his head, and stated, “Not me.” I asked Paul if the truck was his, and he stated it was, but again said he was not driving. At this time, Paul had still not provided his driver’s license and appeared to be having difficulty removing it from his wallet. Paul then asked, “Do you want my driver’s license?” and I advised him that I did. Paul then handed me his driver’s license.

I asked Paul who drove him there and how his truck got there. Paul stated that the girl he was dating drove him. I asked where she was now, and he stated, “I don’t know.” I asked if she was inside, and he stated she had “busted out.”

I advised Paul to sit tight while I walked over to the restaurant to speak with the caller and witnesses. Sgt. Limones was already speaking with the caller and witnesses. One witness stated that Paul had walked all the way down toward the end of the shopping center before turning around and walking back to his truck.

I then walked back over to the truck and asked Paul to step out. Paul exited the vehicle with his dog in his arms. I advised him to leave the dog inside the vehicle. I noticed Paul had turned the truck off and had the keys in his hand when he exited. Sgt. Limones advised that witnesses told him Paul arrived there, walked inside, caused a scene, and threw money at the waitress.

I asked Limones if Paul had consumed any alcoholic beverages while inside El Patron, and he stated no. I then repositioned my patrol car in the parking lot. Afterward, I walked back over to Paul and advised him that several people had stated he drove there and went inside El Patron, and that he had not received any alcoholic beverages while inside. I advised him that I believed he had driven there while intoxicated.

Paul wanted me to repeat what I had already told him. He appeared confused and continued slurring his words.

I then asked Paul if he would submit to field sobriety evaluations so I could ensure he was safe to drive. Paul stated, “I’m not going to drive.” I advised him that he had driven there and again asked if he would perform field sobriety evaluations. Paul then stated that what I was saying did not make sense. I asked again if he would perform the evaluations, and Paul wanted me to repeat myself. I advised him that I was not going to continue repeating myself.

Paul then stated that I had told him I did not see him drive there or drive away. I advised Paul that was not what I had said. Paul became argumentative and would not answer the question. I again advised him that I believed he drove there and that I wanted to make sure he was safe to drive. Paul then stated that it did not matter when he came there.

After asking Paul multiple times if he would perform field sobriety evaluations, he never provided a yes or no answer. I took his actions as a refusal. Based on my observations and the witness statements, I believed Paul had driven his vehicle to El Patron while intoxicated.

I then instructed Paul to place his hands behind his back and placed him under arrest. I secured him in handcuffs, checked them for proper fit, and double locked them. Paul was searched incident to arrest before being placed in the rear seat of my patrol car.

After placing Paul in the patrol car, I advised him that I was going to read Georgia’s Implied Consent Notice for suspects age 21 or older and that all I needed at the end was a yes or no answer. After reading the Implied Consent Notice, I asked Paul if he would submit to the state-administered chemical test of his blood. Paul again would not answer the question and instead remained argumentative.

Sgt. Limones requested the next-list wrecker service for the vehicle and Animal Control for the dog. Sgt. Limones also obtained witness statements from individuals who observed Paul’s actions inside the restaurant.

I then went inside and spoke with a waitress. I asked if anyone had served Paul alcohol, and she stated no. She advised she was the employee attempting to assist him and that Paul kept asking for more alcohol. She stated she told him she could not serve him anything because he already smelled like alcohol and she could get into trouble. She further stated that Paul cursed at her, causing her to walk away. She again confirmed that no one served Paul alcohol inside El Patron.

The waitress also stated that Paul was yelling and cursing inside the restaurant. I then gathered Paul’s belongings and placed them, along with the witness statements, into my patrol vehicle. Paul was secured with a seatbelt for safety and transported to the Habersham County Jail. Upon arrival, Paul was turned over to jail staff without further incident.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on May 26, 2026]

On May 26th, 2026 at approximately 1744hrs I, Sgt. Limones was dispatched and responded code three to 950 N. Main St (El Patron) in reference to a intoxicated male entering the establishment screaming and yelling.

Upon arrival I was flagged down by a witness that said the male later identified as Paul Codling was seated in the F150 bearing GA tag [REDACTED] on the passenger side, Officer Campbell (traffic unit) made contact with Paul. I spoke to the male witness and he stated that he walked into El Patron alone and was intoxicated and was giving the EL Patron staff “hell” and threw money at the waitress.

I spoke to the waitress [WITNESS #1] inside of El Patron, she stated that the male entered the establishment intoxicated. [WITNESS #1] advised that Paul was rude since he came in, he slung forty dollars at her, then [WITNESS #1]’s supervisor offered to cover the cost of his steak just to get him to leave. [WITNESS #1] said that he was not served any alcohol while Paul was there, [WITNESS #1] said that Paul did come by himself. I asked [WITNESS #1] if she would write a statement which she agreed to. I also provide a witness state to the other witness which he agreed to fill out.

Once I provided the witness statements I walked over to Officer Campbell, I asked Officer Campbell if Paul had consented to field sobriety evaluation but Paul was refusing to comply. I observed Paul’s staggering walk and slurred speech. I asked Paul would he consent to field sobriety evaluation and Paul replied “no one saw me come in here”, I said to Paul that all I need was a yes or a no and not an explanation, I asked Paul again if he would comply with a field sobriety evaluation and Paul attempted to stray from answering.

At this time Officer Campbell placed Paul in handcuffs, Paul started saying that he would do the sobriety evaluation but after asking repeatedly it was to late. While Officer Campbell attempted to place handcuffs Paul by leaning him against the fender/hood of the F150 Paul stiffened his body and began pulling towards his right, towards Officer Campbell. I placed my right hand on Paul’s shoulder assisting Officer Campbell but Paul proceeded to turn away I assisted Officer Campbell by leaning Paul forward so he could apply the restraints.

I advised dispatch that Officer Campbell had one in custody, I asked for next list (Cantrell’s Towing), and also to send animal control for the dog that Paul had with him. Animal control was going to take time so Officer Rich transported the dog to animal control to save time. Officer Campbell escorted Paul to his patrol vehicle and I collected the witness statements which are attached. Impound sheet was completed and the vehicle was turned over to Cantrell’s Towing.

[End of Narrative]