What does trust look like in a city? Sometimes itโs a well-lit sidewalk or a bus that arrives on time. And sometimes, it’s something harder to seeโlike the willingness of city institutions to be held accountable.
This summer, Atlanta took a meaningful step in that direction. Mayor Andre Dickens announced a new agreement between the Atlanta Police Department (APD), the Atlanta Citizens Review Board (ACRB), and the Mayorโs Office that will make civilian oversight of law enforcement stronger, faster, and more transparent.
The agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), might sound technicalโbut the impact could be deeply personal for families and communities who have long called for more clarity and accountability when serious incidents involving police occur.
โThis agreement reflects our shared commitment to accountability, transparency, and lasting, systemic change,โ said Mayor Dickens. โMost importantly, it helps rebuild trust between the government and the people we serve.โ
Turning Process into Purpose
The ACRB exists to provide independent oversight when residents file complaints about police conduct. But up until now, thereโs been no formal guarantee about how quickly or completely the board could access information in the most serious casesโlike officer-involved shootings or deaths in custody.
This new agreement changes that.
From now on, when these serious incidents occur, APD must alert the ACRB within 24 hours and provide case files once the internal investigation concludes. If the ACRB makes recommendationsโlike changes to policy, training, or disciplineโAPD is required to respond, explaining what actions it took or why it chose a different path.
โThis MOU is about more than process, itโs about purpose,โ said Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. โWe welcome the role of civilian oversight and look forward to continued partnership with the ACRB as we work together to strengthen public trust.โ
A Collaborative Effort
The MOU wasnโt created overnight. It took months of dialogue between ACRB leadership, APD command staff, and the Mayorโs Office. While the conversations werenโt always easy, everyone involved stayed focused on the goal: making sure Atlantaโs approach to police oversight works for the people itโs meant to protect.
โIt reflects the ACRBโs unwavering commitment to independent citizen oversight and to building public trust in law enforcement,โ said ACRB Executive Director Samuel Reid, III.
The agreement doesnโt change the fact that investigations take time, or that each case is unique. But it does establish a shared foundation of respect, responsiveness, and responsibility.
Looking Ahead
The work isnโt finished. Implementing the MOU will require training, coordination, and consistency. But with this agreement in place, Atlanta has built a stronger framework for fairnessโone where residents can trust that someone is watching, listening, and speaking up.
And thatโs something we can all believe in.