Atlanta police officers from Haiti trying to return to homeland

By Bill Rankin

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Nineteen Atlanta police officers who are from earthquake-ravaged Haiti are trying to find flights to return to their homeland.

They want to find their relatives and help in the relief effort, acting Chief George Turner said. "We're doing everything we can to work things out so they can go," the acting chief said. "It's a very difficult time for them."

Some of the 19 officers, as well as one civilian employee at headquarters, have heard from their relatives in Haiti and some have not, Officer James Polite, an APD chaplain, said.

"All are highly affected by it," Polite said. "They're more than ready to go."

Polite said the Atlanta police force will ask all metro-area law enforcement officials to come to APD headquarters next Tuesday to donate supplies, such as water, diapers and canned goods, to be sent to Haiti to help in the relief effort.