New Atlanta Police Chief, Darin Schierbaum, sworn in at City Hall

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Darin Schierbaum was sworn in as Atlanta’s 26th Chief of Police Wednesday night at City Hall.

Mayor Andre Dickens announced in October that interim Police Chief Darin Schierbaum was his pick to replace Chief Rodney Bryant, who retired in the summer.

“I take the torch tonight, not lightly, knowing that I have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the Atlanta Police Department,” Schierbaum said.

Schierbaum has been with the Atlanta Police Department for two decades, having joined the force in 2002.

He takes the reigns as the city is experiencing an uptick in youth violence. Shootings across Atlanta have injured and killed several teens and children over the last month.

“This is why we serve, ladies and gentlemen. Gangs cannot and will not steal the souls of our children,” Schierbaum said after officially taking office as chief.

Just hours before, the Atlanta Police Department announced two arrests in the 17th street bridge shooting that killed two young boys Nov. 26.

“We will fight gangs in the city, in Fulton County, in the state of Georgia,” Schierbaum said. “That is why we serve, and this is a pivotal time for us. It will take the city council, the general assembly, all of us putting aside politics to fight the gangs that are stealing our children and taking lives across the region.”

Schierbaum said he understands the great responsibility and trust that comes with being chief. It’s a moment he’s been working towards his entire career.

“We serve to protect our constitution because we didn’t take an oath to a city or a party of a person. We take an oath to values that transcend those. That is why we serve, because without us there is no constitution, and there is no protections. We serve so everyone has the protection of the law,” Schierbaum said.

During recent a one-on-one interview with Atlanta News First, Schierbaum said his top three priorities for the city of Atlanta included smart crime-fighting, continuing to grow the public’s trust, and investing in the men and women who make up the Atlanta Police Department.

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