Johns Creek Police Chief Resigns After Black Lives Matter Post

JOHNS CREEK, GA — Following a Facebook post criticizing the Black Lives Matter movement, Johns Creek Police Chief Chris Byers has resigned from his job, effective Tuesday.

The Johns Creek City Council approved a settlement agreement Monday night with Byers resulting in his resignation. He had been asked in June to take time off from the job.

“I have the utmost confidence in the men and women of the Johns Creek Police Department and in their continued service to our entire community,” City Manager Ed Densmore said. “At the present time, Major Roland Castro will continue to serve as interim police chief. As we begin the search process, my objective is to ensure we appoint a new police chief based on gathering input and feedback from our community, from the men and women of our police department, and from our council members. Together we will determine a path forward to fill the police chief position with a highly qualified, experienced, and admirable candidate.”

The city is precluded from discussing the confidential details of the settlement agreement and the events leading up to Byers’ separation and resignation.

“Based on extensive and careful consideration of everything that has occurred within our city over the past few months, we have come to the conclusion that it is in the city’s best interests to part ways with our police chief,” Mayor Mike Bodker said. “Our city council discussed and voted to approve a settlement agreement with Police Chief Chris Byers. As we move forward, our next step is to begin the search process to fill the police chief position with a highly qualified candidate who embodies the heart and soul of our community. The ideal candidate will inspire confidence in the men and women of the police department and uphold the respect of our residents.”

In early June, Byers wrote in a now-deleted Facebook post that pastors have let their congregations down, and he does not support the Black Lives Matter movement because it is "glorifying the killing" of police officers. He previously condemned racism and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

While Byers took down the controversial post, city officials released it later, along with a statement to Patch that said they "do not condone or accept any form of racism, hate, brutality, or repression. The city stands against all forms of racism and will continue to work hard to protect the rights of all our citizens regardless of race, color, or creed. The city supports people's right for peaceful protest, demonstration, and the sharing of ideas, because it is through these rights and the sharing of ideas that we can enact proactive and positive change."

The post was nearly 1,000 words, and included Byers saying, "I have been asked by those in our community countless times... 'Do you believe black lives matter?;' My definitive answer, YES! I believe that the lives of every black man, woman, and child matter just as much as the lives of every white man, woman, and child and police officer. Just as with every other nationality we get the privilege of calling our neighbors and every religion represented.

"But I do not support the Black Lives Matter as a movement as it seems to glorify the killing of my brothers and sisters," Byers said. "It is not what you pastors and religious leaders think it is. Stop trying to be relevant and look deeper into what you are saying, posting, and tagging before you do it. But please..never give up the fight against racism. We have a long way to go! But we need everybody moving in the same direction."

Densmore said that, "with everything that is taking place around the U.S. and the world, it's important that we listen, understand, and make thoughtful decisions which will bring about improvements to everyone's health, safety and quality of life. We will conduct a careful review of the content and comments from the posting and explore potential next steps or actions, as appropriate. Equitable treatment and respect for each and every member of our community, including those of the Black Lives Matter movement, is part of our city's culture."

Byers, who is white, said as a police chief he's trying his best to serve those he's charged to lead, and has been holding meetings with officers to discuss the turmoil in the country.

"To discuss the horrific actions that lead to Mr. Floyd's death, as well as to discuss the horrific actions of those who are preying on our law enforcement brothers and sisters in the name of justice," Byers wrote. "There have been tears in those meeting. Words of anger toward the wolf in sheep's clothing that took his life. Words of fear. And then there have been countless words that I as a Christian am ashamed to hear. 'Chief, our pastors have abandoned us.' 'They have sold us out for slogans in the name of attempting to be relevant.' 'Chief, what about us?' 'Why has my pastor and congregation hash tagged organizations that condone killing us in their social media postings and sermons?' 'Chief, don't they know that the movements they are promoting at its core celebrates the killing of police officers simply because they wear the badge.'"

Byers began his career in law enforcement in 1996, joining the Johns Creek Police Department in 2008. He became the chief of police March 23.

Related:

• New Allegations Land Johns Creek Police Chief On Leave
• Black Lives Matter Post Earns Police Chief Time Off
• Black Lives Matter, Pastors Criticized By Johns Creek Police Head
• Johns Creek Chief Wants His Officers To 'Set The Standard'