Sheriff Victor Hill’s certification suspended

Clayton County Police Chief Michael Register, right, and Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill talk at Clayton County’s Annual State of the County Address last March. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Clayton County Police Chief Michael Register, right, and Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill talk at Clayton County’s Annual State of the County Address last March. BRANT SANDERLIN/BSANDERLIN@AJC.COM

Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill’s certification has been suspended by the state agency that certifies law enforcement officers, according to Channel 2 Action News.

While the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council’s decision to put Hill’s certification on probation for two years does not affect his status as sheriff, it does require him to take new courses on firearms training and ethics.

The agency made the decision nearly two years after Hill shot friend Gwenevere McCord in the abdomen at a model home in Gwinnett County.

McCord, who was working as a real estate agent, was shot as Hill reportedly showed her “police tactics.” McCord had numerous surgeries and other procedures. She lost a kidney, spleen and part of her large intestine as a result of the shooting, her father said previously.

McCord, her family and Hill maintained that the shooting was an accident.

Hill pleaded no contest to the shooting.