An independent audit of the South Fulton Police Department has revealed that the agency is burdened with “outdated” policies, according to the recently released 65-page report. The analysis, which came in the wake of several lawsuits claiming a toxic work environment, scrutinized various aspects of the department, ranging from promotions and complaint management to department protocols and disciplinary procedures. According to Atlanta News First, the review uncovered that the department’s policies are “outdated, overly complex and inconsistently applied,” findings that were initiated after increasing concerns over the conduct of the agency’s personnel.
This comprehensive audit was led by Robert Ford, a former special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and included input from retired police chiefs. As per FOX 5 Atlanta, the review suggested the department should conduct a thorough revision of its policies. “The general recommendation of this review is that the SFPD, whether through the accreditation process or other means, conduct a thorough revision of all policies to align them with the nature and demands of the current agency, and discontinue operating under a jumble of legacy policies that can no longer be modified effectively,” the report stated. Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs has indicated the city has already started to implement some of these recommendations and stressed the need for transparency and improvement within the department.
Mayor Gumbs, who was a councilwoman when the investigation was approved in July, has emphasized the importance of the audit as a guide for refining the police department. In a statement obtained by Atlanta News First, she said, “The city will use this administrative review as a roadmap to establishing the South Fulton Police Department as one of the finest agencies in the state and the region. Successful law enforcement agencies constantly evaluate themselves, and this is our first step, as we move this city forward.” Key action items from the audit include the development of an internal affairs policy and a comprehensive code of conduct, along with resuming scheduled performance evaluations. These steps aim to directly address the concerns and issues that have been raised by the members of the community and the police force alike…