EXERCISE PATIENCE, CALM AS POLICE CONDUCT THOROUGH PROBE

Being the police chief in a major metropolitan area is, to say the
least, very challenging; in times like these, even more so. This
tragic incident has shaken this community to its core, and the
residents deserve honest answers. But I must ask for patience and
calm as we get to the bottom of the events of Nov. 21.

I give you my word as the chief of police that we will not rest until
every detail is checked, verified and checked again. We owe it to the
residents of Atlanta, but especially to Kathryn Johnston's family and
many friends.

On behalf of the men and women of the Atlanta Police Department, I
want to convey my heartfelt condolences to everyone who knew
Johnston. By all accounts, she was a friend and a caring soul. I also
want to express my best wishes for a speedy recovery to the officers
who were injured that evening.

Were mistakes made? That is yet to be determined. Could we, or should
we, have done anything differently? That will also be determined. But
I do know this: Every policy and procedure that the Atlanta Police
Department relies on for guidance in drug arrests and search warrants
will be scrutinized. The policy regarding the reliability and use of
confidential informants will also be examined.

Many people are understandably suspicious that the Atlanta Police
Department is trying to cover up the facts surrounding this case. So
that this investigation can be open and transparent, I have asked the
Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct a thorough independent
investigation into this case.

I have also requested the United States attorney, the district
attorney and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to be a part of the
investigation.

Our narcotics investigators spend numerous hours in training for
undercover narcotics investigations, search warrants and surveillance
techniques. They have safely served numerous warrants this year and
have taken millions of dollars' worth of narcotics off the streets of
Atlanta. But until this investigation is concluded, this narcotics
team has been placed on administrative leave with pay.

There are many unanswered questions. I promise everyone in the
Atlanta community that the complete truth of what happened at 933
Neal St. will be made known to them as soon as the investigation is completed.