Between 2017 and 2020, Atlanta Police Department (APD) officers reported 1,274 instances of non-deadly physical force, with only about 5% forwarded to the Office of Professional Standards (OPS) for investigation. The remaining 95% were approved by supervisors without disciplinary action. OPS investigators often closed cases without determining the justification of force or interviewing complainants and witnesses. In some instances, lie detector tests indicating officer dishonesty were disregarded. The department has 83% more use of force and 88% more use of deadly force than police departments nationwide. Notably, 100% of unarmed individuals killed by Atlanta police are Black. These patterns suggest a culture within APD that permits excessive force without accountability.
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