Officials seek to discuss next steps before moving forward

After months of operation, the Drug Suppression Unit (also known as the Selective Enforcement Unit in some circles) is taking a brief break until officials can gather for a new meeting and talk updated strategy on how to move forward. 

County Commission Chair Hal Floyd sent out an email to law enforcement and local officials involved in the unit Tuesday morning to announce the unit’s temporary suspension. 

He stated in the email the reason for halting work in the unit for the time being is to review data generated by arrests made by the unit, and to evaluate the costs associated with officers from different departments working in the unit. 

A meeting is set to be scheduled to discuss the unit, Floyd also noted in the email. That meeting has not yet had a date set. 

“I want to personally thank each of you and your men and women for all you do for the citizens of Polk County,” Floyd said to close out the communication. 

County Commissioners Hal Floyd and Scotty Tillery both helped to spearhead the Drug Suppression Unit and began that work in September last year along with officials from the county and cities of Cedartown and Rockmart. The county ultimately set aside hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover the cost of the DEU efforts for city and county officers. Both CPD and RPD were approved by the County Commission to receive $100,000 each as part of the effort, and an intergovernmental agreement was formed between local governments to provide a framework for the combined efforts.

After the unit formally organized in November, they worked to decrease criminal activity through the end of 2021 until now. 

The unit did make some high profile arrests during their operations, including one last November that saw eight arrested on drug and other charges.

Check back for more on this story as it continues to develop.