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South Fulton council unanimously authorizes independent investigation of police department
Summary
At a July 18 special-called meeting, the South Fulton City Council voted 7-0 to launch an independent review of the police department, ordering a review of promotions, internal affairs cases and policies covering the past three years.
SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — On July 18, 2025, the South Fulton City Council voted unanimously at a special-called meeting to authorize an independent investigation of the South Fulton Police Department, effective immediately.
The council authorized a third-party review that, according to the motion, will include a thorough review of police promotions for the last three years, a review of internal affairs investigations and related feedback loops for the last three years, and a review of police standard operating procedures and human resources policies, including disciplinary procedures.
Councilwoman Natasha Williams Brown moved the measure. "I move that effective immediately, the city council is authorizing an independent investigation of the police department to include but not limited to a thorough review of police promotions for the last 3 years, a thorough review of internal affairs investigations to include existing feedback loops for the last 3 years, a thorough review of police standard operating procedures and HR policies to include a review of police disciplinary procedures," she said. The motion was seconded and approved by a voice vote of 7-0.
Mayor Khalid, opening the reconvened session, noted a resolution that had circulated in the media was not authored by the mayor, any council member or city administrator: "It was not authored by myself, any member of this council, or any administrator in this city," he said.
Councilwoman Helen Zenobia Willis defended the vote and the use of an independent review, saying the action responds to allegations and formal complaints rather than personal attacks. "This is not a witch hunt against our current police chief," Willis said, and added that the council has a fiduciary responsibility to pursue independent inquiries when complaints or lawsuits arise.
Councilman JC Sebastian asked whether the council had authority to order the review. Interim City Attorney Sarah Kelly cited the city charter, saying, "According to section 3.25 of the charter, the council has powers, so this would fall under those powers." The transcript did not identify a specific firm or investigator to carry out the review, a timeline for completion, or the budget source for the work.
The special-called meeting recessed into an executive session for public-safety personnel earlier in the day at 3:04 p.m. and reconvened at 7:25 p.m.; the meeting was adjourned at 7:31 p.m. The motion directs an independent investigation but does not set implementation details such as investigator selection, costs, reporting deadlines, or whether findings will be made public.
Council members present and participating in the vote included the mayor and seven council members; remote members joined by voice vote. The record shows a unanimous vote to authorize the investigation.
Next steps — including who the city will hire to conduct the review, the scope beyond the areas listed in the motion, and any reporting schedule — were not specified during the meeting.
