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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Travelers walk around the baggage claim in the South Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. Atlanta is among the airports where the FAA will reduce flights due to the shutdown, and airports are facing a shortage of air traffic controllers. 
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez