Capt. Steve Rose Retires From Sandy Springs Police Department

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — One of the most familiar faces of the Sandy Springs Police Department has decided hang up his uniform after serving more than 40 years in law enforcement. Capt. Steve Rose, the night commander for the Police Department, has retired from the force.

Rose said his retirement will be effective Wednesday, May 23. In a statement sent via email, Rose said in his trademark sense of humor that his retirement should not be seen as anything related to an "indictment, sexual harassment complaint or unpaid parking tickets."

"It was simply an opportunity," he added, noting he'd originally planned to retire in November.

The opportunity Rose is speaking about is the chance to serve as volunteer coordinator of the Police Department, which also includes overseeing the Citizens On Patrol unit. Rose will take over the civilian position on a part-time basis.

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"He was instrumental in the foundation of this, and he is looking forward to being directly involved with it," said Sandy Springs police Sgt. Sam Worsham. "He has several ideas to improve the program, and we look forward to seeing it grow."

In other words, he will still have a chance to mingle with Sandy Springs residents on a regular basis — just not as an on-duty officer.

"In fact, I’ll be less than a hundred feet away, but in a completely different situation, one that I am looking
forward to," Rose said.

Rose joined Sandy Springs police after a 26-year career with the Fulton County Police Department. During his last six years with the county, he was assigned to the Sandy Springs precinct where he was tasked with developing and expanding community outreach and crime prevention. He retired from Fulton County police and joined the newly formed Sandy Springs Police Department in 2006.

Sandy Springs Police Chief Ken DeSimone noted Rose has been "instrumental in the success" of the police department and is a critical asset of the agency's partnerships with the community. He began building that bridge with the public in 1984 as the crime prevention officer in Sandy Springs for Fulton County police. In 2001, he launched the neighborhood watch program, which now has 80 Sandy Springs neighborhoods participating.

"Captain Rose served on the start-up committee for the Sandy Springs Police Department," DeSimone said. "He was a contributory member of the committee that selected the original 86 officers, acquired equipment, and established logistics of the SSPD. The Department is grateful that Captain Rose will continue to work with our community as the volunteer coordinator after his retirement."

While it will be a challenge for anyone to fill Rose's shoes, Capt. Forrest Bohannon said Sgt. Andrews Spears will be promoted to the rank of captain on May 31 and will become the next night commander.

Along with community programs, Rose once served as the agency's public information officer and has published a book, "Why Do My Mystic Journeys Always Lead to a Waffle House."

Most recently, he's served as the voice of the Weekly Wrap Up, a compilation of notable police incident reports that also include blunt, yet humorous, advice about crime in the city.

Image via Sandy Springs Police Department