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Committee backs joint policing policy statement, asks staff for redlines and implementation timeline

DeKalb County Employee Relations and Public Safety (IRBS) Committee · January 6, 2026

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Summary

DeKalb County committee reviewed a one-page joint policy statement combining a community liaison program and hate-crime identification training; commissioners supported the concept, requested redlined language, suggested a 180-day implementation/status update and agreed to substitute the statement for two agenda items pending final language.

The IRBS committee discussed a proposed joint policy statement that merges two agenda items: a community advisory/liaison program and a resolution requiring hate-crime identification training for law enforcement.

Chief (DeKalb Police Department) said the document “has the guiding pillars for constitutional policing” and called it a joint approach to community engagement and advisory boards. Administration staff described the draft as a starting one-page policy statement to set vision and guiding principles rather than prescribe every operational detail. "This is the statement that we've come up with at this point and, offer as a suggestion," the chief said.

Commissioners asked whether the policy would replace two separate items (it would, by substitution) and whether it should be codified in standard operating procedures; staff said they could have the substitute agenda item ready by Friday for the board’s vote. Commissioner Terry suggested a friendly amendment asking staff to return with a strategic approach within six months (180 days) for committee review; other commissioners requested time to redline and review the one-page policy before Tuesday's full-board agenda.

The committee moved to substitute the joint policy statement for one agenda item and to withdraw the other; both motions were carried as recommendations. Members emphasized they wanted the policy to reflect both the community liaison vision and operational detail where necessary, and asked for staff redlines and a short implementation timeline for follow-up.