Atlanta Police Department Policy Manual

The Atlanta Police Department (APD) publishes many of its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) through a public PowerDMS portal. These SOPs cover work rules, conduct, use of force, pursuits, investigations, body-worn cameras, training, and a wide variety of specialized topics. APD operates in a large, busy metropolitan area with significant downtown activity, events, and traffic corridors, so policies emphasize professionalism, documentation, and supervisor accountability.

For APD promotion prep, begin by exporting or outlining the major SOP groups: mission and organization, work rules, conduct, disciplinary process, operations, investigations, and specialized units. Identify SOPs that directly impact high-liability decisions, such as use of force, pursuits, body-worn cameras, and complaint handling. Build a study plan that rotates through these high-impact SOPs first, then layers in administrative and personnel-related SOPs. As you read, write “supervisor” notes describing what a sergeant or lieutenant must do when an SOP is triggered: respond, direct, document, or notify.

Key APD SOP topics to emphasize include:

- Work rules and general conduct: expectations for professional behavior, discipline, and accountability.
- Use of force and weapons procedures: definitions, reporting, review, and de-escalation expectations.
- Vehicle pursuits and emergency driving: criteria for initiation, continuous risk assessment, and supervisory control.
- Body-worn cameras: activation, retention, audits, and supervisor review responsibilities.
- Complaints, Office of Professional Standards, and internal investigations: intake, classifications, investigations, and employee rights.

Understanding how these SOPs interact in real incidents is critical for promotion success.

When studying for APD promotional exams:

1. Highlight all “shall” and “must” language in the SOPs you review, with special attention to lines that describe supervisory duties.
2. Create scenario drills based on Atlanta-style calls, such as incidents near major event venues, university areas, or high-traffic corridors, and practice applying the SOPs step by step.
3. Build small comparison tables (for yourself) showing how similar topics are treated across different SOPs—for example, notification requirements after use of force versus after a complaint.
4. Track updates announced through APD communications or PowerDMS; recently revised SOPs are likely to be emphasized in exams.