Schierbaum Named Atlanta Police Department's New Police Chief

ATLANTA, GA — Darin Schierbaum has been officially named the Atlanta Police Department's new police chief, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced Monday.

Schierbaum was serving as the interim police chief, following Chief Rodney Bryant's retirement in June. He is the department's 26th police chief.

"It's still surreal," Schierbaum said at a news conference. "I did not think that when I started my service with the Atlanta Police Department, this is where my journey would take me, so there's a lot of people that have contributed to that."

After a nationwide search, Dickens said Schierbaum embodies all of the traits sought out by Atlanta residents as reflected in a survey.

He said Schierbaum aligns with his administration's vision for public safety and believes in 21st century policing.

"This is an important position, so we had to get it right," Dickens said. "We searched far and wide. ... I am happy and honored to report that at the end of the day, we found the right candidate was already in that post."

Schierbaum has served 20 years with the APD, joining in 2002 after 10 years with the Johnson County Sheriff's Department in Illinois, according to a news release.

He was valedictorian of the APD Academy Class 180; afterwards, he started as a Zone 5 beat officer in midtown Atlanta, the news release said.

During his time with APD, Schierbaum has overseen the Community Liaison Unit, the LGBT Liaison Unit, the Hispanic Liaison Unit and the Graffiti Abatement Unit, the release said.

Other accomplishments included partnering with regional and federal authorties to combat gangs and drugs and overseeing public safety at signficiant sporting events such as the 2018 College Football National Championship, the 2018 Major League Soccer Cup and Super Bowl 53, the release said.