WATCH: Departing DeKalb safety director talks modern policing

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.