The Macon Police Department responded Wednesday to a story on WGXA News at 10 and 11 on Tuesday.

We reported Tuesday night that the five Macon police officers most recently in the news were all from Precinct 3 on the city’s north side.

That would include officer Clayton Sutton, on leave after he fatally shot an unarmed Sammie Davis Jr. in front of a Kroger store in late December.

Two other Precinct 3 officers, Troy Guidry and Jon Wantz, have been charged with stealing a tractor, along with other items, including a police computer.

Another two Precinct 3 cops, Jonathan Graves and Adolphus Jones, stand accused of stealing guns.

While reporting the story, WGXA asked Macon Police for an interview about Precinct 3. Police spokesperson Jami Gaudet denied the request, saying that all the cases pending against Precinct 3 officers were open cases and therefore the department couldn’t comment.

That was Tuesday. On Wednesday, Gaudet sent out an email with a quote from Major Robert Grabowski, who oversees Precinct 3:

“The recent arrests by several Precinct 3 officers in no way negates the professionalism and dedication of the officers of this precinct and their leaders. We are a CALEA accredited law enforcement agency held to the highest standards and we intend to uphold those standards. The actions of those arrested is reflective of their own poor choices and failure to live up to the sacred oath of office they took when they became police officers.

“Unfortunately, it’s impossible to know what personal circumstances or people influence an officer during his career causing him to break the law or renege on his oath of office. I am proud of Precinct 3 and its leaders and know they will continue to focus their efforts on serving and protecting the citizens of Macon with dignity and pride.”