Atlanta Police Department

Corrections

The Atlanta Police Department works with the City of Atlanta Corrections Department, which operates three jails:

Demographics

Breakdown of the makeup of the rank and file of APD:

Controversies

A federal investigation was conducted into the Atlanta Police Department's practices after the 2006 killing of 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston, who shot at officers as they entered her home unannounced on a no-knock warrant. Prosecutors alleged that the officers falsified information and documents after the killing to justify the serving of the warrant. On April 26, 2007, two officers pleaded guilty to manslaughter, violation of oath, criminal solicitation, and making false statements. One additionally pleaded guilty to perjury.

On July 8, 2011, it was reported in the Atlanta Journal Constitution that six police officers were fired for lying about events concerning a raid on the Atlanta Eagle Bar (which catered to gay persons). In June 2011, a 343-page report was released that details how 16 officers lied or destroyed evidence when asked about the raid on the Eagle Bar. At least two of the officers in question had been cited for lying on another occasion in a federal drug case in October 2009 (the federal prosecutors informed the Atlanta Police Department that they would never be used again in a federal prosecution).

On April 8, 2011, APD officers shot a 64-year-old U.S. Marine veteran who had fired several shots at the ground in front of a man who was stealing from him, which was a frequent occurrence. He lost his kidney, and while he was eventually released from prison in early November after prosecutors finally dropped charges—after threatening him with 105 years in prison—his home and that of his deceased father had been looted and burnt by criminals who stole almost all his personal and business possessions. APD officers claimed Sturdivant pointed his rifle at the officers, who never identified themselves, a point disputed by Sturdivant's public defender given that the one bullet of the 14 officers fired that actually hit him, traveled through the side of the rifle's stock.

Equipment used by the Atlanta Police Department

Vehicles: Ford Police Interceptor equipped with state-of-the-art Whelen LED Lighting packages and digital control consoles along with Panasonic Toughbook Mobile Data Terminals. The Atlanta Police Department is currently reviewing the new Dodge Charger, Chevy Caprice, and Ford Taurus Police Interceptor packages for suitable replacement to the discontinued Ford Crown Victoria. Due to heavy wear and tear only all wheel drive or rear wheel drive vehicles are considered. In fall 2013, the Atlanta Police Department began phasing 70 new Ford Taurus Police interceptors into its fleet to replace the old Crown Victoria interceptors. The entire fleet totals around 300 vehicles and the remaining Crown Victoria interceptors will be phased out as they lose usefulness. The remaining 230 Crown Victoria interceptors will be replaced by Taurus interceptors over time.

Communications: Motorola Digital 800 MHz Trunking system that is one of the largest in the country and utilizes 24 channels. This system provides voice and data communications for the Atlanta Police, Fire, Watershed, Corrections and other Municipal Departments. The Atlanta Police Radio System also provides voice and data communications for the Georgia State Patrol inside of the Atlanta Metropolitan area and the City of Hapeville, The City of East Point, and the City of College Park.

Weapons: Smith & Wesson M&P .40 S&W. In July 2013 Glock secured a contract with the Atlanta Police Department for an order of 2300 full size Glock 22 Generation 4s to replace the Smith & Wesson M&P .40. This breaks a 70+ year relationship between Smith & Wesson and the APD. The Glock 22 is being phased into service within the department over time. The Glock 22 is chambered in the .40 caliber Smith & Wesson round like the M&P that it replaces. APD SWAT adopted the full size Glock 21 Gen 4 due to mission-specific requirements that favor the .45 ACP round over the .40 S&W round.

Police patrol zones of Atlanta

In the City of Atlanta, there are six "patrol zones" (more commonly known as just "zones") which lie under the jurisdiction of the Field Operations Division of the Atlanta Police Department.

Zones and constituent neighborhoods

Zone 1 covers the city's northwest side, west of Downtown Atlanta and north of I-20. Zone 2 covers all of the city's northern area. The Zone 3 area is located on the south/southeast and parts of southwest side of the city. The Zone 4 area is located on the southwest side of Atlanta. Zone 5 encompasses the central portion of APD's jurisdiction. Zone 6 includes all but the northernmost part of Atlanta's Eastside.