DeKalb County swears in Class 142 as leaders highlight staffing gains and more than $30 million in public-safety investments

DeKalb County formally graduated and swore in academy Class 142 at a ceremony at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, where county leaders highlighted recent staffing gains, investments in public safety and the department’s new motto.

Chief of Police Greg Padrick told the graduates the badge is a community’s trust and cited recent personnel numbers as evidence of momentum. "Class 142, you are part of this momentum," Padrick said, noting a 9% increase in sworn staffing over the past year and a 91% retention rate.

Why it matters: County leaders framed the graduation as part of a broader effort to bolster public safety capacity and sustain experienced officers. Lorraine Cochran Johnson, the county CEO, said her office has directed significant funds to public safety initiatives that affect operations and pay.

"I have invested in over $30 million in public safety," Cochran Johnson said, listing pay increases, a real-time crime center and 9-1-1 upgrades among the investments intended to improve officer safety and response.

Lead academy instructor Manjaras and other trainers described the academy’s demands — citing 26 weeks of training that included firearms qualification, defensive tactics and legal instruction — and praised the class’s resilience after weather-affected qualification preparation. "It's not that hard, folks," the lead instructor repeated during training lessons, urging recruits to slow down, rely on training and apply discipline in the field.

Instructors presented several awards: firearms winner Blake Massey and runner-up Miguel Labanita Pimentel; academic winner Bria Bertrand and runner-up Sam Pandeyevina; Spirit of the Class Joshua Johnson; and Instructor's Choice Justin Mims. Class leader Justin Mims addressed attendees about the recruits’ shared sacrifices and dedicated a plaque to the training academy.

Certification and oath: Major William Wallace, the academy director, certified that Class 142 completed all training required by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, after which Chief Magistrate Judge Anderson administered the oath of office and the recruits repeated it, affirming their duty to the Constitution and the laws of Georgia.

Next steps: Following a brief photo session, graduates were turned over to their units; presenters noted some new officers are assigned to the South Precinct. Leaders asked the public to continue supporting officers and their families as they begin patrol duties.

Context and limitations: Remarks during the ceremony used counts and figures provided by county officials (for example, the chief's staffing percentages and the CEO's funding total). Those numbers and administrative actions are presented here as reported at the event; budgetline details beyond the CEO's statement and precise precinct assignments were not specified during the ceremony.