KIRKWOOD — Amidst a string of alarming crimes in Southeast Atlanta, the Atlanta Police Department has announced a major leadership move for Zone 6.
Zone 6, which is headquartered in Kirkwood, includes East Atlanta, Inman Park, Ormewood Park and Old Fourth Ward, among other communities.
Newly promoted Maj. Timothy Peek will replace Maj. Keith Meadows, who is moving to head the schools detectives section.
Peek had been APD Night Commander since January 2013.
“I’m confident that Maj. Peek will bring a renewed passion and commitment to reducing crime in Zone 6 that we need right now,” APD Police Chief George N. Turner said in a statement.
An APD veteran of nearly 20 years, Peek was previously the department’s liaison as deputy director to the regional High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
He has also been a sergeant in the Homicide Unit, an investigator and patrol officer.
“Maj. Peek’s service as our HIDTA liaison will be helpful at bringing the know-how to work collaboratively with other agencies to tackle crime from a big-picture perspective," Turner said. "He is a consummate professional and I expect us to make strides to reduce crime in east Atlanta.”
Meadows, a Southeast Atlanta native whose family owns Meadows Mortuary Inc. in East Atlanta, will lead the newly reconfigured School Detectives Section, which is designed to be the public safety arm of the Atlanta Public Schools.
Meadows, who led Zone 6 since January of last year, has been with APD for more than 27 years, including two years as commander for the Major Crimes Section.
The move comes amid a new partnership between APD and APS. Both are finalizing an agreement for full-time officers to work inside of APS’ middle and high schools.
Right now, APD officers work inside of the schools on an off-duty, part-time basis, but the ultimate goal is to have more than 70 full-time, on-duty police officers securing APS schools.
“We believe a sustained, full-time presence of Atlanta Police officers in our schools will help provide a safe learning environment for the system’s students,” Turner said.
“Maj. Meadows will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to his role as the commander for this important section.”
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