The first Black police chief of Atlanta has died.
George Napper passed on Friday. He was 81. A reason for death was not delivered.
Napper was named boss in 1978 and served in the post until 1982. During his residency, he rebuilt the office’s police zones, set up field examination units for each zone, made a White Collar Crime Unit and the Special Investigations Section and organized calls for administration. He later turned into the city’s head of public security.
“George Napper exemplified the best of law implementation in our city,” the Atlanta City Council said in an announcement. “As Atlanta’s first African American police boss, he was a pioneer and indicated his pledge to our city consistently in his administration and the job he played in numerous huge examinations.”
Civic chairman Keisha Lance Bottoms, in an announcement, called Napper, “A splendid educator and pioneer.”
“Boss George Napper broke hindrances and exemplified the advancement of our city during a long and recognized profession with the Atlanta Police Department,” the chairman said. “The City of Atlanta is grateful for the administration and duty of Chief George Napper and we give our most profound sympathies to his friends and family.”
In a message from Napper’s family presented on Pastor Skip Mason’s Vanishing Black Atlanta History Facebook page, at Napper’s own solicitation there will be no burial service or dedication administration due to the Covid pandemic.
