Eight Decatur police officers with a combined 72 years service within the department were recently given promotions. Chief Mike Booker said it was only the third time in his nine years that he’d done a mass promotion of this type.

Three were promoted from sergeant to lieutenant: Jennifer Ross, Eric Jackson and Billy Woodruff. Five others were promoted from officer or investigator to sergeant: Dan Bellis, John Bender, Amy Hall, Phillip Nembheard and Kim Parks.

The officers were evaluated by an outside company, and promotions were determined by a written test and by a video interview where officers responded to hypothetical scenarios, Booker said.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com