Brett Brown

The board received reports from the Georgia Department of Public Safety, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. Topics included operational updates on trooper schools, responses to the Brantley County wildfire, cargo theft unit successes, training activities, and progress on various building projects. The board also approved several donations for equipment and furniture, as well as a resolution to authorize a lease amendment for the Athens Hangar.

The meeting featured director reports covering departmental updates, including cadet school graduation timelines, aviation search statistics, protest activity at the Capitol, and the successful recovery of stolen equipment by the newly created Cargo Theft Unit. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation discussed gang task force operations, convictions in high-profile cold cases, officer-involved shootings, threat assessments, and facility expansion projects. Additionally, the Georgia Public Safety Training Center provided updates on campus construction projects, use of force training initiatives, and legislative budget funding. The Board also approved the acceptance of various equipment donations, including furniture and vehicles.

The board meeting focused on the request for approval of a donation consisting of 300 gallons of Jet A fuel valued at 1,500.00 dollars from the Rome Regional Airport.

Discussions included reports from the Department of Public Safety regarding the 120th Trooper School progress and statistics from the Thanksgiving holiday travel period, noting a decrease in traffic fatalities despite increased activity. An incident involving a Trooper being dragged by a fleeing suspect was detailed, with the GBI leading the investigation. Operational updates covered Aviation, SWAT, and Dive team activities, as well as the upgrade of Communications Centers to Telex dispatch software, expected to yield monthly savings of approximately $20,000. Facility updates noted bid awards for new Posts in Sylvania and Athens. The Georgia Public Safety Training Center reported on recent academy graduations and the growth of fire services field delivery. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported on major drug seizures, including narcotics linked to the CJNG cartel, an agent-involved shooting during an interview, and successful operations by the HEAT Unit targeting pandering. The Cold Case Unit is reviewing numerous cases, including those involving unidentified remains, achieving four identifications through genetic genealogy. Significant methamphetamine seizures were also reported from separate operations in Atlanta and Hall County. The GBI reported investigating 74 officer-involved shootings year-to-date. Personnel updates indicated numerous vacancies within the Department of Forensic Sciences and the Investigative Division, with hiring pools being established. Crime Lab backlog reduction efforts across various circuits were detailed. Several donations were approved for the Department of Public Safety, the Public Safety Training Center, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, including equipment, vehicles, and funds. Old and New Business covered preliminary approval and final adoption schedules for Household Goods Maximum Rate Tariff No. 7, approval of Maximum Rate Tariff No. 1 for non-consensual vehicle immobilization, an administrative order extending temporary hours of service variance until December 31, 2026, and a resolution to transfer Post 26-Thomaston from Upson County to the State of Georgia. Final adoption of proposed GCIC Council Rules and Regulations changes, following a public hearing without changes, was also approved.

The Board of Public Safety meeting included reports from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) detailing trooper and CVO school updates, including efforts to address cadet attrition, particularly in driving skills. DPS reported on aviation unit activities, significant apprehensions by the Middle Georgia Gang Task Force, K9 Unit metrics, and SWAT team deployment. The Crime Suppression Unit reported recoveries of stolen vehicles and firearms. Updates were provided on fleet procurement, facility developments for various Posts, and computer refresh status. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) reported on successful multi-agency operations, including child predator arrests and updates on cold case identifications utilizing genetic genealogy. The GBI detailed progress in reducing the backlog in drug chemistry testing across several Judicial Circuits and noted facility construction for new Medical Examiner's Office space. The Georgia Public Safety Training Center reported record student numbers and discussed facility improvements, including future plans for driver training expansion. Business items included the approval of several donations for the Department of Public Safety and the Training Center, the approval of a resolution to seek demolition of the DDS Rome Customer Service Center, the final adoption of DPS Maximum Rate Tariff No. 6 for Intrastate Rates and Charges for Household Goods, and the transfer of real property custody to the GBI for headquarters expansion. The meeting concluded with a session of the Georgia Crime Information Center Council to review and approve the FY2025 CJIS Security Policy Violations report.