Video: DeKalb Public Safety Director Cedric Alexander will resign

Police officers need to build trust with the communities they protect — by taking kids to the movies, attending local meetings and building relationships with residents.

That's the message of outgoing DeKalb County Public Safety Director Cedric Alexander, who announced this week he's retiring from law enforcement after a 40-year career.

Alexander, 62, is a national advocate for community policing, which relies on community partnerships to help fight crime.

He has also pushed for more officer training on recognizing their biases, de-escalating situations and dealing with those who have mental health problems.

Please read more about Alexander's philosophy and time in office on MyAJC.com.

About the Author

Mark Niesse

Mark Niesse covers voting rights and elections for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He also reports on the Georgia House of Representatives and government. He has been a reporter at the AJC since 2013 following a decade at The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Ala.

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