F A Q s on Nationwide Calls for Police Reform

Where does Atlanta stand on 8 Can't Wait?

#8CANTWAIT is a campaign by Project Zero calling for eight specific use of force policies to be adopted by police departments with the goal of reducing killings by police. Although a review of these use of force policies was one component of the Bottoms Administration’s efforts to reform our police department’s policies, the City of Atlanta has gone beyond these eight policies to identify additional areas for improvement. These reform efforts have been informed by the Use of Force Advisory Council and an internal Atlanta Police Department (APD) working group with members across all ranks and covering all zones of the force.

Policy
Status
APD Coverage
Ban chokeholds and strangleholds
Full coverage
APD.SOP.3010, 4.1.10
Require de-escalation
!
Full coverage
ADP.SOP.3010, 4.1.4; 4.1.5.; 4.1.6
Require warning before shooting
Full coverage
APD.SOP.3010, 4.2.2.3
Exhaust all alternatives before shooting
Full coverage
APD.SOP.3010, 4.1.6; 4.2.1.
Duty to intervene
!
Full coverage
APD.SOP.3010, 4.5.
Ban shooting at moving vehicles
!
Full coverage
APD.SOP.4010, 4.9
Establish use of force continuum
!
Full coverage
APD.SOP.3010, 4.1.2, ADP.SOP.4.6.99
Require all force be reported
Full coverage
APD.SOP.30104.9.
Full Coverage
!
Addressed in 6/16 Administrative Order
Legend

Where does the Bottoms Administration stand on Defund the Police?

The Bottoms Administration does not support reducing the Atlanta Police Department’s budget; the majority of APD’s budget is dedicated to salaries, pensions, worker compensation, and capital costs. However, Mayor Bottoms agrees with the need to reallocate City funds towards social services and support and community enhancement initiatives. To that end, the Mayor’s FY21 budget includes a transfer of $13.5M from the Department of Corrections budget to the Office of Constituent Services, as well as a redeployment of Corrections personnel to other City departments, including Parks and Recreation. Additionally, the Reimagining ACDC initiative aims to convert the Atlanta City Detention Center into a multifaceted center for wellness and healing, skills-building, economic mobility, and crime prevention for people, families and communities impacted by the history of over-incarceration.

Does Atlanta have an independent civilian review board?

Yes. The Atlanta Citizen Review Board (ACRB) was established by City Ordinance in 2007 to provide citizen oversight of misconduct accusations against sworn members of the police and corrections departments in the City of Atlanta. It provides a credible, independent forum where complaints and accusations can be assessed. The ACRB is comprised of fifteen members, selected from various constituencies throughout the City. The selection process is designed to reflect the diversity and interests of a broad spectrum of the community.

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