SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — South Fulton’s new police chief met the public for the first time Monday morning and made clear that accountability inside the department is at the top of her list.
Chrissie C. Latimore, who most recently served as U.S. marshal for the District of South Carolina, told residents that respect from the public has to be earned and that she wants everyone in the city to feel heard. She said she plans to strengthen officer training and hold staff to a higher standard.
Latimore officially took over on Oct. 22. The city has existed for nine years, and she is just its third police chief.
She brings more than 25 years in local, state and federal law enforcement. Her resume includes Army military police duty followed by Army Reserve service, a climb through the ranks to the top job at the Laurens, South Carolina, police department, and time as a state special agent with SLED, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. As marshal, she oversaw more than 200 employees and 115 deputized court security officers.
In South Fulton she takes charge of a force with 306 authorized positions and a $33.3 million operating budget, serving more than 115,000 residents.
Her early work includes carrying out changes from two outside reviews of the department’s policies, procedures and training, and preparing for the move into a new police headquarters.
The department has been through a rough stretch. Several officers sued over what they called a hostile workplace under former Chief Keith Meadows, who retired in January. Interim public safety director Cedric Alexander leaves the city on Oct. 31.
Section: More Atlanta GA crime news
Filed under: Atlanta GA Public Safety News
