Atlanta creates safety commissioner post

As part of a reorganization of city of Atlanta government, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has announced the creation of the position of Atlanta public safety commissioner, according to a press release.

Mayor Bottoms says having a public safety commissioner allows the city’s public safety department chiefs to focus more effectively on critical day-to-day operations.

“Atlanta is preparing for several major events in the coming months, including the Super Bowl,” noted Mayor Bottoms. “The new public safety commissioner will be able to coordinate the departments in a unified manner.”

Former Atlanta Police Chief George Turner, who spent seven years leading the APD and a total of 36 years on the force, has been named the interim public safety commissioner.

Turner will oversee the Atlanta Police Department; the Atlanta City Department of Corrections; the Office of Emergency Preparedness; and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department.

“Chief Turner’s impeccable record of leadership and service to the city he grew up in makes him uniquely qualified for this extremely important job,” said Mayor Bottoms.

Turner will serve as executive on loan from the Atlanta Hawks, where he is currently the vice president of Safety, Security, and Parking. The Hawks will cover his salary for at least one year.

Maintaining the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department’s Class 1 Insurance Service Office Rating will also be a top priority for Turner.