Five minutes to end my career with no notice Former DeKalb police chief addresses confusion amid sudden departure

Former DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos publicly stated that she was forced to resign without warning, just a day after her departure became public. She received a notification to step down immediately, leaving her with merely 21 days to resign or face termination. Having joined the DeKalb County Police Department in 2019 after over two decades with the Miami-Dade Police Department, Ramos expressed her hurt over the abrupt end to her career. Despite the challenges of a high turnover rate among officers, she noted her pride in the department's recent achievements, particularly regarding the homicide rate, which stood at only five since the beginning of the year. The abrupt nature of her exit has raised concerns about the leadership dynamics within the department, as DeKalb County officials have not yet started a formal search for a new chief.

In the interim, Assistant Police Chief Gregory Padrick will take over day-to-day responsibilities. Ramos's departure underscores ongoing issues in police leadership and community trust. The situation reflects broader themes of accountability and respect in public service roles.