DeKalb County Advances Public Safety with Historic Police Investments and Real-Time Crime Strategy

DeKalb County continues to make bold strides in public safety, celebrating recent accomplishments and announcing transformative initiatives that will strengthen law enforcement and ensure safer communities for all residents.

Earlier this month, CEO Cochran-Johnson honored the 138th graduating class of the DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD), the first class to graduate under her administration. This milestone follows a historic $10 million investment in officer pay and benefits aimed at increasing recruitment, retention, and morale within the department.

“These men and women are not just graduates, they are the foundation of a safer, stronger DeKalb County,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “My administration is committed to ensuring our officers are equipped with the compensation, tools, and technology necessary to succeed.”

Recently, DeKalb held its first officer recruitment event since increasing pay and incentives. It was the most successful recruiting event in over a decade yielding eighty-three applicants, ten certified officers, and twenty-three referrals from DeKalb officers and employees, resulting in thirty-five applicants moving forward and six applicants in process. 

As of March 1, sworn DKPD officers and recruits received substantial salary increases, positioning DeKalb County officers among the highest paid in metro Atlanta. The new structure includes:
•    Police Recruits: $61,000 ($64,050 with degree)
•    Police Officers: $62,525 ($65,651 with degree)
•    Senior Officers: $70,000 ($73,500 with degree)
•    Sergeants, Lieutenants, Captains, Majors, and others: 7.1% increase

Additional incentives include a $500 monthly housing allowance, medical coverage, and the creation of the DeKalb Police Foundation to further support law enforcement initiatives.

Real-Time Crime Center: A New Era of Smart Policing
In a forward-looking move, CEO Cochran-Johnson is preparing to break ground on DeKalb’s first-ever Real-Time Crime Technology Center, a state-of-the-art facility that will centralize surveillance, data analysis, drone technology, and emergency response coordination. As part of the planning process, the CEO and her team recently toured the City of Atlanta’s Loudermilk Video Integration Center, Cobb County’s Real-Time Crime Center, and the Dunwoody Police Department Real Time Crime Center to gather best practices on build-out and IT infrastructure.

“This is about leveraging technology to prevent and deter crime and quickly apprehend perpetrators,” said Cochran-Johnson. “The Real-Time Crime Center will be a game-changer for DeKalb County.”

“This center will enhance how we capture, analyze, and act on real-time data,” said William Jones, Chief Information Officer. “We are building a tech-forward infrastructure that empowers officers with immediate intelligence, speeds up investigations, and improves community safety outcomes.”

Strategic Alliances for a Safer DeKalb
CEO Cochran-Johnson also reaffirmed strategic relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, including a renewed partnership with the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), a key player in patrolling state roads, where pedestrian fatalities remain high. On Wednesday, she met with GSP leadership to discuss expanded collaboration and an increased presence across the county that was felt immediately as GSP officers can now be seen actively patrolling DeKalb roads.

Moreover, DeKalb County was selected to participating in the National Public Safety Partnership, a multi-agency initiative with the ATF, FBI, DEA, and other federal partners as part of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) initiative to provide an enhanced and support state and local law enforcement.

“These partnerships ensure our officers are not alone,” said Cochran-Johnson. “They are part of a coordinated network committed to protecting every neighborhood in DeKalb.”
Empowering Officers to Serve Effectively

The CEO’s recent directives, outlined by Interim Chief of Police Gregory Padrick, include expanded tools and updated policies for officers, such as revised guidelines for discretionary use of vehicle pursuits, and the use of the Pursuit Intervention Techniques (PIT) maneuver to reduce crime through expanded field options.  

“Policing is evolving, and we must evolve with it,” said Interim Police Chief Padrick. “By updating our policies and expanding our resources, we are equipping our officers with what they need to be both effective and responsible in the field.”

“Our officers are being empowered to do their jobs more effectively. It is time we get tough on crime and create safe streets and communities,” said the CEO. 

From pay raises and recruitment to smart policing and strategic partnerships, CEO Cochran-Johnson is charting a new path forward —one rooted in action, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to public safety.