UPDATE: Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields Resigns After Officer Shoots And Kills Rayshard Brooks
Just less than 24 hours after an APD officer shot and killed Rayshard Brooks after a struggle in a parking lot, Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields decoded step down from her position Saturday afternoon.
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Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said in a Saturday press conference the decision was former Chief Shields’ and the mayor said she accepted the resignation. Bottoms explained that the former chief will remain with the city in a role. However, that has yet to be determined.
“It has become abundantly clear that over the last couple weeks in Atlanta is that while we have a police force full of men and women who work alongside our communities with honor respect and dignity,” Bottoms said in a statement. “There has been a disconnect with what our expectations are, and should be as it relates to interactions with our officers and the communities in which they are entrusted to protect.”
Chief Erica Shields has been a solid member of APD for over two decades, and has a deep and abiding love for the people of Atlanta,” she continued. “And because of her desire that Atlanta be a model of what meaningful reform should look like across this country Chief Shields has offered to immediately step aside as Police Chief so that the city may move forward with urgency and rebuilding the trust so desperately needed throughout our communities.”
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As we previously reported, Rayshard Brooks, was shot and killed by police at a Wendy’s drive-thru after police said he pointed a Taser at an officer while running away from law enforcement. An investigation is still ongoing. We will continue to keep you updated when more details have been shared.