Mayor Andre Dickens has unveiled a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at bolstering transparency and civilian oversight within the Atlanta Police Department (APD).
This agreement, formed in partnership with the Atlanta Citizens Review Board (ACRB) and the Mayor’s Office, sets forth a new framework for how the APD and ACRB will collaborate in investigations concerning officer-involved shootings, deaths in custody, and serious injuries resulting from police actions.
“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to accountability, transparency, and lasting, systemic change,” Mayor Dickens stated.
He emphasized that the MOU plays a crucial role in rebuilding trust between the government and Atlanta’s residents.
Key elements of the MOU mandate rapid notifications from the APD to the ACRB within 24 hours of any major incidents, ensuring timely communication surrounding critical events involving police use of force.
Additionally, the APD is required to promptly share relevant case files at the conclusion of investigations unless restricted by other legal considerations such as a district attorney’s instructions or pending appeals.
The ACRB will respond to these incidents with their findings within three business days, ensuring that essential information is conveyed to the APD, the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and police oversight personnel without delay.
APD Chief Darin Schierbaum highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, “This MOU is about more than process, it’s about purpose.
We welcome the role of civilian oversight and look forward to continued collaboration with the ACRB as we work together to strengthen public trust and accountability.”
In a provision designed to maintain transparency, the agreement states that if the final disciplinary actions taken by the APD differ from the recommendations made by the ACRB, the APD must provide a written explanation articulating the rationale for such a decision.
The development of this MOU followed years of advocacy from community groups and public officials demanding stronger accountability measures for police actions in Atlanta.
Leaders from the APD and ACRB collaborated closely with the Mayor’s Chief Strategy Officer to create a structure that promotes both timely communication and genuine oversight.
Moreover, the agreement includes measures for joint training: the APD will invite ACRB staff to participate in police training sessions and provide lesson plans in advance.
In turn, ACRB will conduct training for APD officers, including new recruits, to educate them about oversight processes and trends in public complaints.
Board members will also engage with the Citizens Police Academy, while both organizations will hold joint training every two years on complex investigations that involve the use of force and legal rights.
Looking ahead, implementation meetings are being scheduled to guarantee that the provisions laid out in the MOU are fully integrated into the APD’s standard operating procedures.
The APD and ACRB have committed to maintaining regular communication, which will include bi-weekly, monthly, and quarterly meetings to assess and refine the MOU as necessary.
In cases where disagreements arise between leadership at the APD and ACRB, a tiered resolution process has been established, allowing for unresolved matters to be reviewed by a jointly selected reviewer or, if necessary, the City Council President.
Samuel Reid III, Executive Director of the ACRB, said, “This MOU represents a meaningful step forward in ensuring justice for victims of officer-involved shootings, in-custody deaths, and their families.
It reflects the ACRB’s unwavering commitment to independent citizen oversight and to building public trust in law enforcement.”
City leaders are optimistic that this agreement will help establish a more ethical, accountable, and responsive system of police oversight, equipping the ACRB with the necessary tools to effectively fulfill its mission.
image source from：fox5atlanta
