DeKalb County's Public Safety Director Dr. Cedric Alexander to leave position

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County's Public Safety Director announced he's leaving after four years with the county.

Channel 2's Liz Artz spoke to Dr. Cedric Alexander about his decision just hours after he made the announcement Wednesday.

Alexander said he'll spend some time in Florida with his aging mom, and then he'll move on to what's next. He did confirm that after 40 years in law enforcement that part of his life is over.

He was brought in 4 years ago as the police chief to stabilize the department under a different administration.

He told Artz when his contract ends this month, he plans to take a break before starting a new chapter in his life.

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Alexander led the police department through several major events including controversial officer-involved shootings, the McNair Elementary School shooting where 900 children were successfully led from danger and and a massive ice storm that stranded residents metro wide. He was not specific about what he'll do next, but confirmed it won’t be in law enforcement.

"We met the challenges, the good and the bad, and we made mistakes along the way and we owned them," Alexander said.

When asked “if some big agency calls you tomorrow in law enforcement, you're going to say, ‘No thank you?’”

“No, thank you. That's it. I'm done. I'm over that cliff, yeah,” Alexander said.

He said he might give politics a try.

DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said he has no plans to replace Alexander's position and the police chief will lead the department.

Cox Media Group