The Community Oriented Policing Section (COPS) builds community partnerships to reduce crime and increase safety. The COPS proactively fights crime through various programs aimed at prevention, early identification, and improving the quality of life.

What programs are offered by the Community Oriented Policing Section:

The following are primary programs managed and offered by the COPS section:
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender services (LGBT)
Hispanic/Multicultural Community services. Crime Prevention
Police Athletic League
Beltline enforcement (Path Force)
Explorers program
Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement (HOPE Team) 

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Liaison Unit

The LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) Liaison Unit is a unit of the Atlanta Police Department whose goal is to improve the relationship between the LGBT community and the Atlanta Police Department. For more information contact 404-546-LGBT (5428).

Crime Prevention Unit

The Crime Prevention Unit shares information and tips on how to prevent crime. Several programs are managed by the unit including Crime Prevention Training, Neighborhood Watch Training & Development, Senior Citizen's Activities and Safety & Awareness Workshops. Please call the CPU office nearest you to learn about opportunities and to join Crime Prevention Unit programs.
Sr. Crime Prevention Inspectors of the Crime Prevention Unit can be reached at the following numbers according to the respective areas:

Crime Prevention Inspectors:

CPI Senior
CPI Sr. M. McMurray	470-462-9036	All Zones
CPI Sr. S. Thomas	470-462-9037	All Zones
CPI Sr. W. Clarke	470-462-9038	All Zones

 

CPI
CPI J. Word	470-462-9035	Zone 1
CPI M. Anderson	470-717-4415	Zone 2
CPI A. Jones	470-462-9034	Zone 3
CPI K. Hebert	470-462-9024	Zone 4
CPI S. Swoope	404-275-6846	Zone 5
CPI J. Tillman	470-462-9026	Zone 6

 

Police Athletic League 

The Atlanta Police Athletic League (PAL) is a non-profit program that uses sports, education, and recreation to connect police and local youth. PAL offers citywide seasonal activities including summer camp, mentoring, homework assistance and sporting activities. Please call 404-799-2341 to learn more information about PAL or visit https://atlantapal.com/

The Path Force Unit

The Atlanta Police Department has a dedicated unit – the Path Force Unit – that is responsible for providing public safety to the Atlanta BeltLine and adjacent parks and neighborhoods. Launched in the summer of 2013 with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Path Force patrols seven days a week. The unit is comprised of 15 officers and three supervisors. Their presence is a mainstay on the Atlanta BeltLine – if you see them, say hi!

The H.O.P.E (Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement) Team

The H.O.P.E. Team works with the homeless and mentally Ill. The primary duties of the unit are to identify and eliminate all homeless encampments in the City of Atlanta by trying to place homeless individuals in short or long term housing. The unit is able to offer these services by partnering with a host of agencies like Gateway, United Way, Salvation Army, and Veterans Administration just to name a few. A second key function of the unit is to work with the mentally ill. The unit is available upon a call to de-escalate situations involving a mentally ill person in Crisis with the use of CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) techniques. The unit works hand in hand with NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) Georgia through training and partnerships.

Atlanta Police Explorers Program

The Atlanta Police Explorers Program is designed to train young adults from the ages 14-21 to become futures leaders. The Department's Explorer Program goals are to:

• Recruit and prepare young men and women for future careers in law enforcement by offering a positive relationship between police and the youth of our community.
• Provide a forum in which young people can provide non-hazardous community services, thereby relieving police officers for other assignments.
• Provide solid training toward the development of better citizens and better physical fitness for all youth that participate in the program. 
  
  
  

Explorer Requirements are:

1. Be a United States Citizen.
2. Be between the ages of 14-21(Must have completed the 8th grade)
3. Passing school classes & maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
4. The ability to pass a Background Investigation.
5. Have no criminal arrests or detainment.
6. The ability to undergo an oral interview by the adviser, or his/her designee.

The Hispanic Liaison Unit

The Atlanta Police Hispanic Liaison Unit is a team of dedicated officers that focuses on the public safety needs of the Hispanic Community. They conduct outreach campaigns to the Hispanic community in an attempt to solidify police relations. Their primary focus is to gain the trust of the community and seek out information that leads to the closure of violent crime in the community. They work hand in hand with City Hall and different Hispanic consulates and resources. They also orientate and advise the Hispanic community of their rights and responsibilities.

We also work:

 

• To establish positive relations with the Hispanic community in order that persons will call the police when needed and help reduce crime and victimization. To build relationships with civic and religious groups, businesses, service providers and members of the Hispanic community.
• To encourage Spanish-speaking residents to report criminal activity and to assist them in filing police reports as needed. To assist with answering questions about Police matters and City of Atlanta Services and resources available to residents.
• Recruiting qualified candidates for employment as a police officer with Atlanta Police Department.
• Conducting outreach within the Hispanic community by providing education on Georgia Laws.
• Educating the Hispanic business owners of the best business practices in an effort to avert victimization.
• Assisting the Hispanic media outlets with written and verbal crime prevention information.
• Enhancing the Hispanic community’s involvement in police programs such as Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch.
• Providing translation of Spanish for patrol officers and detectives. • Assisting patrol officers and detectives when the citizen is a victim of a violent crime.

You can get in touch with the Atlanta Police Department Hispanic Liaison Unit by contacting: 
Off. Miguel A. Lugo 

Office: 404-546-6831
Cell: 404-614-9548
Mlugo@atlantaga.gov

How can I learn more about my community? 

To learn more about the many programs available through the Atlanta Police Department’s COPS initiative call, write, or email to:
City of Atlanta Police Department 
Community Services Division (CSD) 
Community Oriented Policing Section (COPS)
226 Peachtree St SW Suite W-4300 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 
Te: 404-546-5650 
Email: atlantacops@atlantaga.gov

The following are primary programs managed and offered by the COPS section:
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender services (LGBT)
Hispanic/Multicultural Community services
Crime Prevention
Police Athletic League
Beltline enforcement (Path Force)
Explorers program
Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement (HOPE Team)