DeKalb County Appoints New Police Chief

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County has named Gregory “Greg” Padrick as its new Chief of Police, a permanent appointment following his service as interim chief earlier this year. The announcement was made this week by DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran‑Johnson, who praised Padrick’s experience and leadership.

Padrick brings nearly three decades of experience with the DeKalb County Police Department, where he has served in a wide range of roles — from patrol officer to leadership positions in investigative units. He began his career in law enforcement in 1997 and has since worked in divisions including homicide, narcotics, internal affairs and intelligence. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Southern Police Institute’s Chief Executive Leadership Course.

In her statement, CEO Cochran‑Johnson highlighted Padrick’s commitment to public safety, community‑centered policing, innovation and transparency — priorities she said will continue under his leadership.

Padrick had been serving as interim chief since former Chief Mirtha Ramos stepped down in February. As chief, Padrick has emphasized strengthening community trust, supporting officers and focusing on crime reduction efforts. In recent remarks, he noted the importance of accountability and collaboration with residents while acknowledging ongoing challenges, including staffing and crime trends.

“I grew up in the area. I spent more than half of my life as a police officer in DeKalb County,” Padrick said. “This is home to me. This is family to me. I look forward to advancing our mission of keeping every community in DeKalb County safe while strengthening public trust and embracing innovation.”

The appointment is part of ongoing efforts by county leadership to bolster public safety as DeKalb continues to invest in policing resources and community initiatives.