CEO Thurmond Appoints New Police Chief

DECATUR, Ga. – Today, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond appointed Mirtha V. Ramos as chief of the DeKalb County Police Department, effective Nov. 4, 2019. Ramos will be responsible for leading nearly 800 sworn police officers and 110 civilian employees, and managing the police department’s $95.1 million budget.

“Chief Ramos has embraced community policing as an effective tool to reduce crime and improve public safety,” said CEO Thurmond. “She is an innovative leader who brings a wealth of experience, training and professionalism to this important position. I am confident that our new police chief will dedicate herself to advancing DeKalb County’s public safety priorities.”

The county’s top public safety priorities include:

• Enhancing ongoing efforts to recruit, train and retain qualified police officers.
• Expanding law enforcement and community-building initiatives designed to interrupt the cycle of gun violence and illegal gang activity.
• Strengthening partnerships with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to reinforce DeKalb County’s commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and residents. 

Ramos, a 22-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Police Department, rose through the ranks and has held several leadership positions including division chief, major and captain.

As police division chief for both the North Operations and Special Investigations Divisions, Ramos was responsible for leading one of Miami-Dade Police Department’s largest divisions, consisting of 1,047 employees in four police districts, including the Miami International Airport and Special Patrol Bureau.

Her responsibilities also included oversight of the Homeland Security, Economic Crimes, Warrants, Narcotics, and Governmental Services bureaus.

Ramos has successfully fostered positive partnerships with the Miami-Dade community through crime prevention and awareness programs. She was instrumental in growing Miami-Dade’s Youth Outreach Unit, an innovative, research-based community-oriented policing initiative focused on trust-building, partnerships and crime prevention.

“Chief Ramos has the knowledge, skill and abilities to develop and sustain strong partnerships that reduce crime,” said Public Safety Director Jack Lumpkin. “DeKalb County has the right person at the right time.”

Ramos holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Lynn University and a master’s degree in psychology of leadership from Penn State. She also attended the International Association of Chiefs of Police Women’s Leadership Institute.

A native of Philadelphia, Pa., Ramos is a Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy graduate and member of the Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police.

Ramos was selected after a nationwide search was conducted to replace former Police Chief James Conroy, who retired in April 2019.

A formal presentation introducing Chief Ramos will be held on Monday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. at the Manuel J. Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Dr., Decatur, GA 30030.