Top state leaders broke ground Thursday on the new Georgia Department of Public Safety Headquarters. Officials used the occasion to thank state troopers for their contributions in dealing with last summer’s civil unrest and Atlanta’s recent crime wave.
“There’s certainly no secret that our state owes a debt of gratitude to all our men and women in law enforcement,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “And I’d just like to take a moment and say thank you.”
Kemp commended the state troopers gathered for continuing to do their job with “integrity, honor, and respect.”
The new $55 million dollar facility will be used for training and will include “cutting edge technology” DPS officials say. It’s being built next to the existing 64-year-old headquarters in southeast Atlanta.
Last year, the DPS headquarters was damaged after a group vandalized the building during protests over the deaths of George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks. Both Black men were killed by white police officers.
Georgia state troopers joined Capitol Police and Atlanta police officers to maintain order during the Atlanta protests.
Troopers are also participating in the DPS’ Crime Suppression Unit. Since April, that effort has resulted in over 9,000 police stops, 6,400 citations and arrests, the serving of 140 outstanding arrest warrants, and the impoundment of more than 500 vehicles.
“The last 15 to 18 months have presented challenges none of us could have foreseen,” Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan said, adding that troopers have filled “important gaps.”
Georgia House Speaker David Ralston reiterated his pledge to earmark $75 million next year to beef up the DPS as well as mental health services in Georgia.
His plan includes $25 million for one-time $1,000 bonuses for existing law enforcement officers and $3 million to hire 20 new state troopers. The remainder of the funds would be used to increase salaries for prosecutors and public defenders, bolster staff at the GBI, and pay for more mental health crisis beds through the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
