Public confidence in police in the United States plummeted in 2020 after the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, with only 48% of Americans saying they had a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in police that year, a drop from historical norms above 50%, and remaining depressed in subsequent years.
Across the country, that erosion of trust has lingered, particularly in communities of color, and has reshaped conversations about public safety, accountability, and community policing. Against that backdrop, Atlanta’s newest police officers and firefighters are participating in a grassroots effort to rebuild trust one conversation at a time.
Rookies from the Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta Fire Rescue hosted “Cookies With Rookies,” a community engagement event at Atlantic Station, designed to introduce first responders to residents outside of emergencies and foster dialogue in a casual setting.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the initiative is part of a broader city strategy to strengthen relationships and counter distrust that followed national controversies over police conduct and use of force.
“These are our newest members of the department, and we want them to understand that community partnership is essential,” Schierbaum said. “The only way we succeed as an effective police and fire department is to have that relationship with our neighborhoods.”
For many Americans, efforts like this come amid ongoing skepticism about policing and the justice system. A 2025 Pew Research Center survey found that about a third of U.S. adults say things between police and Black Americans are worse now than before Floyd’s murder, and just 11% say the relationship is better.
Recruit Jamari Anderson, 22, said he chose to join the Atlanta Police Department because he wanted to be part of the solution and a reassuring presence in communities where distrust runs deep.
“At the end of the day, someone always needs a protector,” Anderson said. “Regardless of how
Anderson said being present and approachable at community events is one way future officers can begin to bridge the gap with residents.
On the fire side, recruits emphasized that trust is equally important when lives are at stake. Jamal McKee, a 28-year-old Atlanta Fire Rescue recruit who entered the academy in February 2024, said training demands precision and accountability.
“This job is very detailed,” McKee said. “You’re learning EMT work and life-saving measures. It’s not just your license in your hands, it’s other people’s lives.”
McKee, scheduled to graduate in April 2026, said becoming a firefighter offered him a way to serve while being a familiar, reassuring face in the community.
Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith, a veteran of 32 years, said building trust before emergencies occur can make a meaningful difference when crises strike.
“I always say, get to know us before the red lights come on,” Smith said. “When the lights come on, there’s chaos. Trust is key in those moments.”
The monthly engagement events will continue through 2026, including during major events like the World Cup, as part of ongoing efforts to rebuild community trust and dialogue between first responders and Atlanta residents.
Another recruit, 34-year-old Justus Wright, said he hopes residents remember firefighters as approachable people committed to service.
“If they see me again in the future, I want them to recognize me and know that I’m there to help,” Wright said.