Audio report by Rahul Bali.
Atlanta Police Department Chief Rodney Bryant will retire in June, according to a press release from the Mayor’s Office of Communications. Bryant joined the department in 1988 as a police officer.
“As Mayor [Andre] 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,” Bryant said in a statement.
When he took office, Dickens said he would assess Bryant’s performance in his first 100 days before deciding whether to keep him long-term or search for a new chief. Dickens said he’s looking for a leader who shares his vision for the city.
“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,” said Dickens. “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.”
