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Tucker council establishes City Marshal’s Office with limits on police functions
Summary
After public comment and council questioning about scope and safety, Tucker’s City Council approved an ordinance to create a City Marshal’s Office, making certain courthouse bailiffs POST‑certified peace officers with limited powers; the office is to report to the city manager and is expected to take effect Nov. 1.
Tucker — The Tucker City Council approved an ordinance on Aug. 11 establishing a City Marshal’s Office to convert select courthouse bailiffs into POST‑certified peace officers with defined duties and limits.
City staff described the office as designed to support court operations and provide on‑site security at city facilities while avoiding duplication of DeKalb County police functions. “The Marshals will not interfere with any provision of law enforcement that’s provided by the CAB, nor any other state and or federal law enforcement agency,” city staff stated during the second reading presentation.
The ordinance assigns duties including court support (fingerprinting, transport of inmates and bank deposits), assistance to code enforcement for higher‑risk inspections and limited arrest authority for specific, imminent‑threat situations. Staff said marshals would be POST‑certified and maintain yearly training; they would report to the city manager and be subject to city policies that define their scope.
During a public hearing, residents and business‑district representatives questioned whether marshals would be armed and how they would coordinate with DeKalb County police. City staff answered that marshals would be armed and that, until radios and direct trunking are obtained, the primary method of contacting DeKalb would be by phone; more direct radio integration would require DeKalb cooperation.
Council members also pressed staff on safety scenarios and liability. The city attorney and other staff said the ordinance narrows marshal duties and that the city manager, through policy, would further define when marshals use arrest authorities.
After discussion, a council member moved to adopt Ordinance O2025-06-14 establishing the City Marshal’s Office. The mayor counted six council members in favor and one opposed; the motion passed.
The ordinance includes an effective date projected as Nov. 1 to allow time for staffing, equipping and procedural work.
What’s next: Staff will begin the implementation steps including policy drafting, staffing and coordination with DeKalb County for operational matters; the council directed staff to return with additional operational details as needed.
