Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant announced Friday that he will retire this summer.
Bryant, who has been with the department since 1988, will step down in June.
“I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to serve the city that I love and call home,” Bryant said. “As Mayor Dickens plans his leadership strategies for this great city, I believe it is essential that he and the City of Atlanta have a Chief of Police who is willing to serve throughout his term. I have so many great memories of my career. I could not be more thankful to be ending my career — again — with the City of Atlanta Police Department.”
Bryant joined the department in 1988 and originally retired in 2019.
After former chief Erika Shields resigned, former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms brought Bryant back as interim police chief in June 2020.
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The city says it will conduct a national search for his replacement.
“Chief Bryant has answered our city’s call time and again, and I join all of Atlanta’s residents in owing him a debt of gratitude for his steady leadership,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said. “I am thankful that the Chief agreed to stay on for my first 100 days as Mayor, and I have grown to rely on the Chief’s counsel during our daily meetings. We will miss the Chief’s leadership as he enjoys his well-earned retirement.”
Dickens said he doesn’t think he’ll have a pick before Bryant retires, so he will have to appoint an interim chief in June.
“I guess I’m looking for a chief that knows Atlanta, that loves Atlanta, that understands the police force that’s here, but also is ready to bring in any new innovative solutions to get ahead of crime,” he said.
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