A bench warrant had been issued for Tracy Reed three weeks earlier for missing his court date. Emergency police response is available around the clock and is facilitated by strategically located police precincts throughout the City and at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. “It certainly wasn’t something I planned for.”Bryant was installed June 13, hours after Chief Erika Shields submitted her resignation. The AJC has not yet been able to independently confirm the total.“There’s going be more than that, I guarantee you,” said departing APD Detective Ty Dennis, whose last day is Aug. 10. Atlanta police chief Erika Shields stepped down from her post as a 27-year-old Black man named Rayshard Brooks was killed on her watch by one of her own officers. “I doubt he’ll be given the time to come up with a plan to turn things around.”But Bottoms said she thinks Bryant may well be the right chief at the right time.“I’m confident with the right support he can lead APD,” the mayor said. Okay, we’ll see.”Dennis said he never considered looking for another job until recently. But the majority of us will continue to stand as guardians of this city and make sure every citizen is safe.”But some aren’t sure he’s the right fit.Former APD cop Ken Allen said Bryant’s close ties to Bottoms leaves many officers questioning his independence.Reed still hadn’t taken care of the license issue when he was stopped five months later for driving with an expired tag.
It is through heightened community involvement in public safety matters that the Atlanta Police Department will most effectively address its three major priorities of (1) youth-related crime, (2) domestic violence, and (3) the perception of crime in Atlanta.The mission of the Atlanta Police Department is to create a safer Atlanta by reducing crime, ensuring the safety of our citizens and building trust in partnership with our community.The delivery of professional police services in Atlanta is coordinated through the three divisions and one bureau of the Atlanta Police Department. “You can’t let things overwhelm you.”An example: out-of-control street parties that brought the “They actually seem to be listening to us now,” said Ryan Buchanan, general manager of Noni’s on Edgewood.Bryant joined APD as a peace officer in 1988, just out of high school.
After 31 years with the Atlanta Police Department, he’d earned it.“This wasn’t about me missing the job,” said Bryant, who six weeks ago was named interim Atlanta police chief. He would later receive his bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University in criminal justice and a master’s in administration from Central Michigan University.
Bryant disputes that figure but acknowledges the numbers of officers leaving are much higher than the norm. In a 28-day period starting toward the end of June, 21 murders were reported compared to seven over that same time span last year.The death of 8-year-old Secoriea Turner, Bryant will also be asked to shepherd a series of reforms promised by the mayor.“All you can do is handle these things one at a time,” Bryant said. “He’ll bring some much-needed stability to the department.”But he added, “I’ll be disappointed if there is no national search.”Bottoms said she expected to begin that search immediately but, with so many municipalities looking for new chiefs, she’s decided to wait until the field is less crowded.It’s unclear how Bryant, facing a multitude of challenges, will be judged.Crime has risen significantly since he took over. Bryant said he doesn’t think it’s necessarily “an APD thing.”“I’ve never seen the hostility directed at police like we’re seeing now,” he said.He was speaking of civilians, not city administrators. But even the mayor acknowledges she faces distrust from officers.“What I’ve heard APD say is they feel abandoned by their leaders, including myself,” she said.
If she asked me to come back to work for her I’d have to to consider it.”Bottoms said she never sought to replace Shields, though Dennis shares a widespread belief among the rank and file that the former chief was forced out.“Chief Shields offered her resignation and I accepted her resignation. Routine services include uniform patrol operations, criminal investigations, technical and administrative support services, and the regulation of vehicles for hire.
“Officers are tired and rightfully so and stressed. As part of the Eagle settlement, the department agreed to changes in how it trains officers.Boazman said APD needs an outsider, “someone to shake things up.”“I don’t see anyone inside the department who can take over,” he said.Dennis said he’s rooting for Bryant but believes he’s in a no-win situation.The new chief “is a smart guy,” he said. “She’d pass along little thank you notes all the time just to let you know you were appreciated. With an authorized strength of over 2000 sworn officers, the Atlanta Police Department is the largest law enforcement agency in the State of Georgia.