An analysis of more than 15 years of police records has found that officers sanctioned for misconduct in Georgia routinely keep their badges and draw pay for years as their appeals languish.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 Action News conducted the review and reported their findings Tuesday.

Officers accused of serious offenses, from DUI to falsifying police records, are usually disciplined by their departments and a state body. They can appeal to state courts. The Attorney General's office pursues the sanctions once they are appealed.

The review found an average of 136 appeals per year since 1997. The average delay is five years.

A spokeswoman for Attorney General Sam Olens says her boss, who took office in January 2011, has overhauled the appeals process to prevent future backlogs.

Tags: police misconduct, appeals, Attorney General Sam Olens, sanctions