Cobb County's VIPER unit

Metro Atlanta

Cobb County's VIPER unit

Cobb County police unit specializes in serious crime.

When an officer called for assistance VIPER units respond with siren and lights flashing. As crime began to get out of control in south Cobb County, public safety commissioner Micky Lloyd decided to form a new specialized unit. Since the VIPER (Violent Incident Prevention and Early Response) unit formed a year ago, there have been over 400 felony arrests and 500 misdemeanor arrests. The unit uses a combination of informants and local citizens to

Sgt. Brian Kitchens makes a traffic stop on a vehicle without tags. The suspect had an inconsistent story about why the car was not registered.

Sgt. Brian Kitchens searches a vehicle that didn't have tags.

Sgt. Brian Kitchens searches the driver of a car that didn't have tags. Kitchens released the driver after being called to another location where an officer was struggling with a suspect.

Sgt. Brian Kitchens "goes dark" in the parking lot of a strip mall as he watches a suspicious group of men who appear to be loitering across the street.

VIPER's K-9 Officer Mark Blakeney checks a car. The dog found marijuana within minutes.

Officer L.R. Turman (right), escorts a suspect to the car to be transported after he was arrested. At left is the stolen firearm found in the possession of the suspect. Turman and his partner had a struggle with the suspect, who had a history of felony arrests and also had marijuana in the car

A VIPER officer held onto a suspect's ID and stolen gun.

Sgt. Brian Kitchens (left) and Officer Nick Leone, prepare to enter a hotel room belonging to a suspect who had a stolen firearm. The suspect had said they could check his room.

Sgt. Brian Kitchens searches the trunk of a car belonging to a woman who was arrested for pot and cocaine possession while she was parked at a mini mart near Six Flags.

Officer Victor Verola escorts the suspect to a patrol car.

1/11

When an officer called for assistance VIPER units respond with siren and lights flashing. As crime began to get out of control in south Cobb County, public safety commissioner Micky Lloyd decided to form a new specialized unit. Since the VIPER (Violent Incident Prevention and Early Response) unit formed a year ago, there have been over 400 felony arrests and 500 misdemeanor arrests. The unit uses a combination of informants and local citizens to

Today's Gallery Headlines

Georgia students organize protests against ICE after Minnesota killings

PHOTOS: Snellville's Brookwood High School students rally and march against ICE

Ice storm warning

PHOTOS: Scenes from icy winter storm in Metro Atlanta

As storm inches closer to Georgia, metro Atlanta braces for ice threat

PHOTOS: Georgia readies for incoming ice storm

01202026 day of protests

PHOTOS: Metro Atlanta ICE protest join national effort

More Galleries

World Cup draw party TKTKT

PHOTOS: Fans attend 2026 World Cup draw party in Atlanta

Randy Beck

'No body' homicide cases in Georgia

Stitch rendering 2025

PHOTOS: Renderings of Stitch project over Atlanta's Downtown Connector

People are silhouetted against a huge Pride flag before the start of the Atlanta Pride Parade on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Photos: Atlanta Pride Parade 2025