Alpharetta installs Trent Lindgren as police chief as city creates standalone police department

Alpharetta formally installed Trent Lindgren as chief of police at a ceremony at City Hall, where city leaders also noted the department's recent transition from a Department of Public Safety umbrella into a standalone police department.

The move restores a dedicated police leadership structure the city has not had in nearly two decades, officials said, and marks an internal promotion: Lindgren has spent years in the department and will lead Alpharetta's policing operations going forward.

The ceremony included remarks from an Atlanta Police Department chief who has worked with Lindgren, who said, "Trent, you have been indeed been tapped on the shoulder to do a very special thing, to lead the women and men of the Alpharetta Police Department," and urged the new chief to rely on his moral compass during difficult decisions. The guest speaker also advised Lindgren not to neglect family and to support officers' wellness.

Lieutenant David Bent read Lindgren's biography at the event: Lindgren served eight years in the U.S. Army and Georgia National Guard as a cavalry scout and has 23 years of combined military and law-enforcement experience. He began his law-enforcement career with the Atlanta Police Department after 9/11, joined the city of Alpharetta in February 2006 and later rose through patrol, K-9 and traffic assignments into command. The bio lists a bachelor's degree in communications from Kennesaw State University, a master's in public administration from Columbus State University, and graduation from the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College Professional Management Program.

In his remarks, Chief Trent Lindgren thanked mentors and colleagues and framed leadership as collective work. He told officers present, "You have earned the benefit of the doubt from me," and said he would "have your back," language attendees described as a pledge of support to the department's rank and file. Lindgren also emphasized the importance of maintaining the department's reputation for safety and treating people respectfully while enforcing the law.

Speakers at the ceremony noted the separation from the previous Department of Public Safety structure, which had placed police, fire and 9-1-1 under one umbrella. Officials said the city's fire personnel have moved to a separate organization and that the newly standalone police department will now operate under its own command.

The event included a presentation of colors, the national anthem performed by Major April Moore of the Fulton County Sheriff's Department, invocations and a benediction by chaplains, and concluded with an invitation for attendees to join a reception across the hall. City officials and department leaders repeatedly thanked outgoing leaders and mentors who helped prepare Lindgren for the role.

No votes or council actions were recorded in the ceremony transcript; the program presented the installation and remarks and closed with a reception.

Alpharetta officials said the appointment came from within the department rather than a national search and described it as recognition of internal leadership development; Lindgren said he intends to "pay it forward" by preparing others for advancement within the department.