Concerns about policing in DeKalb County are once again flaring after a bizarre incident last week.

Responding to a burglary call, DeKalb police officers entered the wrong home and shot an unsuspecting resident, his dog and one of their own officers.

DeKalb police officials say they see a good department being unfairly maligned for a few incidents.

But critics, for their part, say the police leadership is in denial about problems that speak to under-staffing, excessive turnover in the ranks and an abundance of inexperienced officers.

Meanwhile, a review by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has found that DeKalb has had 17 fatal police shootings in the past five years, the highest in the state.

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com