DeKalb police chief reveals details behind forced resignation

DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos discusses her departure from the police department. (LaShawn Hudson/WABE)

Brian Mann / NPR

After a little more than five years on the job, DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos says she’s confident that she has done everything she could to move the police department forward.

“I’ve given my heart and soul to this community, and no one can take that away from me,” said Ramos, who is the longest-serving police chief in DeKalb County in more than 20 years. The longtime law enforcement officer made history in 2019 when she was appointed by then-DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond to lead the department.

Throughout her tenure, Ramos says she has launched several initiatives, worked to reduce crime, including a 77.3 % reduction in homicides, hosted community events, created youth programs, advocated for and implemented strategies and incentives to improve officer retention.