DeKalb County Police Department: Address, Phone Number, Precincts and County

The DeKalb County Police Department, commonly known as DKPD, is the principal county law-enforcement agency serving unincorporated DeKalb County and selected incorporated communities in Georgia. It responds to emergencies, investigates crimes, enforces traffic laws and works with residents through community-policing and crime-prevention programs.

The department operates through four geographic precincts: North-Central, South, Tucker and East. Each precinct has patrol officers, investigators, supervisors and public-education personnel responsible for its service area.

Residents should call 911 when a crime is happening, someone is in immediate danger or urgent police assistance is required. For delayed incidents, police reports and general questions, they should use the department’s non-emergency numbers.

DeKalb County Police Department Quick Information

DeKalb County Police Department Headquarters

DeKalb County Police Headquarters is located at:

• 1960 W. Exchange Place, Tucker, Georgia 30084

The department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Regular administrative business hours are generally from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Headquarters contains police administration, the North-Central Precinct, Internal Affairs, Police Records and several investigative and support functions.

The main police non-emergency number is: 404-294-2911

Residents may use this number for delayed police reports, general questions and assistance identifying the correct precinct.

DeKalb County E-911 also lists 678-406-7929 for non-emergency dispatch matters. This number may be used for situations requiring police attention without an immediate danger.

Call 911 when:

• A crime is currently happening.
• Someone is injured or in immediate danger.
• A firearm or another dangerous weapon is involved.
• A suspect remains at or near the location.
• A serious traffic collision has occurred.
• A child or vulnerable person is missing under dangerous circumstances.
• Immediate police, fire or medical help is required.

Non-emergency calls may take longer because 911 emergencies receive priority.

Important DeKalb County Police Phone Numbers

Specialised-unit numbers are mainly intended for information, appointments, tips and case follow-up. New crimes should normally be reported through 911 or non-emergency dispatch.

DeKalb County Police Precincts

DKPD divides its patrol jurisdiction into four geographic precincts.

Precinct boundaries do not always follow ZIP codes, city names, commission districts or postal addresses. Residents should provide the exact incident location when requesting assistance.

1. North-Central Precinct

The North-Central Precinct operates from Police Headquarters at 1960 W. Exchange Place.

It serves central portions of unincorporated DeKalb County and borders several independently policed municipalities. Its service area includes sections near Memorial Drive, Covington Highway, LaVista Road, North Druid Hills Road and Briarcliff Road.

Important contacts include:

• Precinct command: 770-724-7615
• Investigative Unit: 770-724-7780
• Public Education: 770-724-7616

The precinct handles residential communities, business districts, apartment complexes and major transportation corridors.

2. South Precinct

The South Precinct is located at:

• 2842 H.F. Shepherd Drive
• Decatur, Georgia 30034

It serves communities in southern DeKalb County and includes residential, commercial and industrial areas.

Important contacts include:

• Precinct command: 404-286-7948
• Investigative Unit: 404-286-7900
• Public Education: 404-286-7955

The precinct’s officers respond to emergency calls, investigate property crimes and work with neighbourhood associations on recurring safety concerns.

3. Tucker Precinct

The Tucker Precinct is located at:

• 4451 Lawrenceville Highway
• Tucker, Georgia 30084

Its service area includes Tucker and surrounding parts of northern and northeastern DeKalb County.

Important contacts include:

• Precinct command: 678-937-5302
• Investigative Unit: 678-937-5340
• Public Education: 678-937-5339

The precinct follows a community-oriented policing model that encourages cooperation between officers, residents, businesses and local organisations.

4. East Precinct

The East Precinct is located at:

• 2484 Bruce Street
• Lithonia, Georgia 30058

It serves eastern portions of DeKalb County, including communities near Lithonia, Stonecrest and surrounding areas.

Important contacts include:

• Precinct command: 770-482-0300
• Investigative Unit: 770-482-0309
• Public Education: 770-482-0330

The precinct handles residential developments, shopping areas, business corridors and major roads in eastern DeKalb County.

Uniform Division

The Uniform Division manages the four precincts and provides the department’s main frontline response.

Patrol officers handle:

• Emergency and non-emergency calls
• Preliminary criminal investigations
• Domestic disturbances
• Suspicious-person and vehicle reports
• Welfare checks
• Missing-person reports
• Traffic enforcement
• Vehicle collisions
• Arrests and warrant-related activity
• Visible neighbourhood patrol

A patrol officer normally completes the first police report and collects immediately available information.

Cases requiring further investigation may be assigned to a precinct detective or a countywide specialised investigative unit.

Each precinct also has investigators who handle offences such as:

• Auto theft
• Fraud
• Burglary
• General theft
• Property damage
• Other local crime patterns

Criminal Investigation Division

The Criminal Investigation Division handles serious crimes and complex cases requiring extended detective work.

1. Major Crimes Section

The Major Crimes Section investigates offences including:

• Homicide
• Serious assault
• Kidnapping
• Robbery
• Suspicious deaths
• Selected cold cases

The Homicide and Assaults contact number is 770-724-7890.

Detectives may interview witnesses, review security recordings, obtain warrants, analyse evidence and work with prosecutors.

2. Special Victims Unit

The Special Victims Unit can be contacted at 770-724-7710.

It investigates sensitive cases involving:

• Domestic violence
• Sexual assault
• Child abuse
• Elder abuse
• Internet crimes against children
• Missing persons
• Other crimes involving vulnerable victims

Call 911 when a victim is in immediate danger. Victims seeking follow-up assistance should have their police case number available.

3. Narcotics and Vice Unit

The Narcotics and Vice Unit investigates illegal drug activity and certain quality-of-life offences.

Information can be provided through the department’s anonymous tip system. The unit can also be contacted at 770-724-7842 for appropriate information.

A tip submission does not replace an official police report or emergency call.

4. Traffic Specialist Unit

The Traffic Specialist Unit investigates:

• Fatal traffic collisions
• Serious hit-and-run crashes
• Traffic deaths
• Complex crash scenes
• Incidents requiring collision reconstruction

The unit can be contacted at 770-724-7575.

Residents can also submit an online traffic concern involving repeated speeding, racing, stop-sign violations or other dangerous driving behaviour.

Special Operations Division

Special Operations provides specially trained personnel and equipment for incidents beyond ordinary patrol capabilities.

Its functions include:

• Police helicopter support
• Tactical response teams
• Bomb disposal and investigation
• Police K-9 teams
• Traffic enforcement and control
• Major-event operations
• Emergency response support

These units may assist during dangerous arrests, searches, large public events, bomb threats and other high-risk situations.

Support Services Division

Support Services manages many of the systems required for police operations.

Its responsibilities include:

• Police Records
• Open-records requests
• Technology and equipment
• Police and Fire/EMS report services
• Permits
• Contracted towing-company oversight
• Administrative support
• Department logistics

Support Services also maintains systems used by officers, dispatchers, investigators and the public.

What Areas Does DeKalb County Police Serve?

DKPD primarily provides police services in unincorporated DeKalb County and communities that rely on county police.

However, several incorporated cities inside DeKalb County operate their own police departments. These include:

• Atlanta
• Avondale Estates
• Brookhaven
• Chamblee
• Clarkston
• Decatur
• Doraville
• Dunwoody
• Lithonia
• Pine Lake
• Stone Mountain

Some incorporated communities, including Tucker and Stonecrest, rely heavily on DeKalb County Police for regular patrol and criminal-investigation services.

The city or community name shown in a mailing address does not always identify the correct police agency. For example, a Decatur postal address may be outside the City of Decatur and within DKPD jurisdiction.

During an emergency, call 911 and provide the exact address. Dispatchers will identify the responsible agency.

DeKalb County Police vs Sheriff’s Office

The DeKalb County Police Department and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office are separate agencies.

The Police Department primarily:

• Responds to emergency calls
• Patrols neighbourhoods
• Investigates crimes
• Enforces traffic laws
• Operates county police precincts

The Sheriff’s Office primarily:

• Operates the county jail
• Provides courthouse security
• Serves warrants
• Transports prisoners
• Handles civil processes
• Performs other court-related duties

A resident reporting a burglary, assault, theft or suspicious person in DKPD jurisdiction should contact the Police Department.

A person seeking jail, inmate, bond or visitation information should contact the Sheriff’s Office.

How to File a DeKalb County Police Report

Call 404-294-2911 or 678-406-7929 for a delayed incident that requires a police report or officer assistance.

Examples include:

• A vehicle break-in discovered later
• Theft that is no longer happening
• Property damage
• Fraud
• Suspicious activity
• A minor collision without injuries
• Harassment
• Lost property
• A delayed burglary report

Call 911 when the suspect is present, someone is injured, a weapon is involved or the situation presents an immediate danger.

When filing a report, provide:

• Exact location
• Date and approximate time
• Description of the incident
• Names or descriptions of suspects
• Witness information
• Vehicle descriptions
• Photographs or video
• Serial numbers for stolen property
• Estimated value of lost or damaged items

The department’s website also provides separate tools for traffic complaints, anonymous crime tips and public-record requests.

Reporting a Stolen Vehicle

A stolen motor vehicle should be reported directly to police so its information can be entered into state and national databases.

The registered owner should provide:

• Vehicle identification number
• Licence plate number
• Year, make and model
• Vehicle colour
• Registered owner’s information
• Last known location
• Approximate time of disappearance
• Information about available keys
• GPS or tracking information

Before reporting the vehicle stolen, check whether it was towed, repossessed or moved by another authorised person.

Call 911 when the theft is happening, violence was used or the suspect remains nearby.

Obtaining Police and Accident Reports

Police Records is located at:

• 1960 W. Exchange Place
• Second Floor, Room 210
• Tucker, Georgia 30084

Regular public hours are generally:

• Monday through Friday
• 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Closed from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch
• Closed on county holidays

Police and Fire/EMS reports are generally available approximately three to five business days after the incident.

Records services include:

• Incident reports
• Accident reports
• Background checks
• Local criminal-history checks
• Record-restriction assistance
• Other releasable police documents

A requester should provide:

• Police case number
• Incident date
• Exact location
• Names of involved people
• Type of report requested
• Government-issued identification when required

Accident reports may also be purchased through the department’s authorised online crash-report provider.

Requests for statistics, older data, police video, communications records or other broader documents may need to be submitted through the county’s Open Records Center.

Some information may be redacted or withheld when it involves juveniles, protected victims, confidential witnesses or an active investigation.

Property and Evidence Retrieval

The DKPD Property Room can be contacted at: 404-294-2528

The Property Room manages:

• Criminal evidence
• Found property
• Safekeeping property
• Recovered stolen property
• Firearms
• Personal belongings
• Other items collected by officers

A person seeking property should provide:

• Government-issued identification
• Police case number
• Property receipt
• Proof of ownership
• Investigator or court authorisation when required

Evidence cannot normally be released while it is needed for an investigation, prosecution or court proceeding.

Firearms and certain regulated property may require additional legal checks before release.

Calling before visiting is recommended because releases may require an appointment or approval from the assigned investigator.

Towed and Impounded Vehicles

DeKalb County Police uses contracted towing companies based on the precinct responsible for the vehicle removal.

S&W Towing also handles large vehicles with more than six wheels for all precincts.

A person whose vehicle is missing should call the non-emergency police number or the appropriate precinct. Be prepared to provide:

• Licence plate number
• Vehicle identification number
• Vehicle make, model and colour
• Registered owner’s name
• Location where the vehicle was parked
• Approximate time it disappeared

The registered owner will generally need valid identification, proof of ownership and payment of towing and storage charges.

A vehicle being held as criminal evidence cannot be released until the investigating officer removes the police hold.

Questions about police towing permits and contracted wreckers can be directed to 404-297-3934.

DeKalb County Jail

The DeKalb County Police Department does not operate the county jail.

The jail is operated by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and is located at:

• DeKalb County Jail
• 4425 Memorial Drive
• Decatur, Georgia 30032

The jail’s general information hotline is: 404-298-8145

It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Sheriff’s Office executive headquarters is located next to the jail at:

• 4415 Memorial Drive
• Decatur, Georgia 30032

The Sheriff’s Office headquarters number is 404-298-8111.

People can use the county’s online inmate lookup to obtain current custody information. A recently arrested person may not appear immediately while identification, medical screening and booking procedures are completed.

Questions about bonds, visitation, inmate communication, commissary or release should be directed to the Sheriff’s Office rather than a police precinct.

Complaints About DeKalb County Police Employees

Complaints involving DKPD officers or civilian employees are handled by Internal Affairs.

• Internal Affairs
• 1960 W. Exchange Place
• Tucker, Georgia 30084

The telephone number is 770-724-7910.

Regular office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Complaints can be submitted by telephone, email or through the department’s complaint form.

A useful complaint should include:

• Officer’s name and badge number, when known
• Incident date and time
• Exact location
• Police case number
• Witness information
• Photographs, video or documents
• Contact information for follow-up
• A clear explanation of what occurred

A complaint may still be submitted when the officer’s name is unknown. Information such as the patrol-car number, location, time and physical description may help identify the employee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many precincts does DeKalb County Police have?

A: The department has four precincts: North-Central, South, Tucker and East.

Q: Does DeKalb County Police serve the City of Decatur?

A: The City of Decatur has its own police department. However, many properties with Decatur mailing addresses are outside the city limits and are served by DeKalb County Police.

Q: How can I obtain a DeKalb County police report?

A: Incident and accident reports are available through Police Records at 1960 W. Exchange Place. Most reports become available within three to five business days.

Q: How can I locate a vehicle towed by DeKalb County Police?

A: Contact the towing company assigned to the precinct that ordered the tow or call police non-emergency at 404-294-2911.

Q: Does DeKalb County Police operate the county jail?

A: No. The DeKalb County Jail is operated by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. Jail information is available at 404-298-8145.