The city of South Fulton has passed groundbreaking legislation that mandates drug testing for police officers who kill or disfigure anyone while on the job.

The city council voted unanimously Tuesday to pass the legislation.

With the new legislation, it’s now mandatory for all parties involved to be tested, which keeps the whole situation transparent.

South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows, councilwoman Helen Willis and local activist Marcus Coleman worked together to get this legislation to a vote.

Every single council member in South Fulton voted yes at the meeting.

Trending Stories

• Debate over Georgia Pre-K program after study finds it has little effect on children
• Bears RB Gale Sayers dies, story told in TV movie ‘Brian’s Song’
• Bodycam video shows moments leading up to Atlanta officer shooting man with gun

The creators of this new mandate said they want to make it clear: This is not an attack on police.

It’s a way for the residents of South Fulton and its police department to feel more confident about going into certain situations.

In the past, if a police officer killed or disfigured someone, the victim’s family members questioned the actions of the police officer, wondering if that officer made decisions under sound mind and body. This new legislation will answer that question.

“In the case when an officer uses use of force during an arrest,” Willis said. “If an officer using a city vehicle causes an accident and it results in a fatality or if the officer gets a citation or an injury requiring any medical treatment or damage to property, within six hours our officers will be required to undergo a drug test.”

In August, there was a community meeting where residents, activists and officials talked about the challenges of policing. This new law was taken from that conversation.

Cox Media Group