ATLANTA, Ga. — The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, Governor Brian Kemp’s Office, and the Atlanta Police Department (APD) recognized 38 POST-certified Parole Board investigators this week at the State Capitol for their service supporting public safety during the FIFA World Cup matches held in Atlanta this summer.

The investigators, who serve in a variety of public-safety roles for the Parole Board, volunteered more than seven hundred (700) hours to support the coordinated law enforcement response surrounding the World Cup. Working alongside local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, they helped protect hundreds of thousands of visitors and fans while supporting the safety and security of the Atlanta community.

When Atlanta law enforcement partners issued a call for assistance ahead of the World Cup, the Georgia Parole Board was among the first agencies to answer the call.

“Our staff stood shoulder to shoulder with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners from across the country,” said Parole Board Executive Director Chris Barnett. “They did it with professionalism, pride, and a great attitude. They represented the Parole Board, the City of Atlanta, and the great State of Georgia exceptionally well.”

Barnett said the Parole Board investigators quickly became more than additional personnel assigned to security posts.

“They weren’t just law enforcement standing on a post. They became ambassadors for the Parole Board, the City of Atlanta, and the State of Georgia,” Barnett said. “We heard repeatedly from event organizers and our law enforcement partners that our team was professional, reliable, helpful, and positive. One of the comments we heard was, ‘We don’t have to worry about parole, they have their areas locked down.’ That says a lot about the confidence our partners had in our team.”

The investigators worked in full law enforcement gear, often in temperatures approaching 100 degrees, and willingly stepped away from their regular assignments to support the historic international event.

Barnett described their service as a “defining moment” for the investigators and the Parole Board.

“This was an opportunity to demonstrate what the Georgia Parole Board brings to the table when our public-safety partners need us,” Barnett said. “Our people answered the call, showed up, and showed out.”

Parole Board Chair Joyette Holmes thanked the investigators for their service and emphasized the importance of strong partnerships in keeping communities safe.

“The Parole Board stands firmly with our public safety partners and the stakeholders we work with every day,” Holmes said. “We believe the most important thing in public safety is community.”

Addressing the Atlanta Police Department, Holmes added, “Thank you for trusting this team to be a part of the coordinated effort to bring public safety to the forefront of the FIFA World Cup.”

Lauren Curry, Chief of Staff for Governor Brian Kemp, also recognized the work of the law enforcement personnel who supported the World Cup. She noted that the Governor’s Office repeatedly heard positive feedback about the professionalism, assistance, and “southern hospitality” demonstrated by Georgia’s law enforcement community throughout the games.

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the department knew it would need additional support to keep the city and World Cup events safe.

“We needed the right people in the right place doing the right things, and you all answered the call,” Schierbaum told the Parole Board investigators.

Schierbaum also credited the coordinated public-safety effort, including the contributions of the Parole Board, as part of the successful response during the FIFA World Cup period. He noted that Atlanta experienced a 21 percent reduction in crime during the six-week FIFA period.

Parole Board Vice Chairman Wayne Bennett provided closing remarks, praising the investigators and the local, state, and federal law enforcement partners who worked together throughout the event.

“This was a remarkable job by everyone involved,” Bennett said. “Our staff should be proud of the role they played in helping keep Atlanta and our visitors safe.”

To commemorate their service, each of the 38 Parole Board investigators received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, a FIFA patch, and a FIFA World Cup challenge coin with a team assignment identification card and lanyard.

The recognition served as a tribute not only to the investigators who volunteered for the assignment, but also to the strong public-safety partnerships that helped Atlanta successfully host one of the world’s largest sporting events.

The Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles remains committed to its mission of ensuring public safety, protecting victim rights, and providing opportunities for positive change, while standing ready when its public-safety partners call for assistance.

For more information about the State Board of Pardons and Paroles contact [email protected].