DeKalb Police Chief James Conroy to retire

DeKalb County is conducting a nationwide search for a new chief of police. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond announced today that Police Chief James Conroy is retiring, effective April 30.

Chief Conroy grew up in DeKalb County and dedicated his entire career to improving public safety in DeKalb.

“Chief Conroy is an example of the best DeKalb County has to offer,” said Thurmond. “His selfless dedication to public service and commitment to honesty, integrity and professionalism has set an example for all DeKalb employees.”

During his 30-year tenure with the DeKalb County Police Department, Chief Conroy worked a wide variety of assignments in the Criminal Investigation and Uniform Divisions and the Homicide and Assault Unit. His distinguished career also includes several leadership positions and service as the commander of the North Precinct, Special Victims Section, Information Services Division, and assistant chief of the Support Services Division.

Chief Conroy has served as the DeKalb County chief of police since December 2013 and under his leadership the county saw significant reductions in overall crime. Chief Conroy led the effort to increase public trust and overall transparency of the department’s activities by managing the deployment of officer body worn cameras and leading the transition of enhancing public access to crime data through the informative crime reporting system, National Incident-Based Reporting System.

Conroy graduated from Peachtree High School, attended the University of Georgia and received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia Southern University. He received a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Waldorf University. He is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville, the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police in Boston, the Georgia International Law enforcement Exchange 25th Delegation to Israel, the FBI National Executive Institute and Leadership DeKalb Class of 2015.