MABLETON, Ga. — The City of Mableton has appointed its first public safety director as the city moves closer to establishing its own police department.
The Mableton City Council voted Wednesday night to appoint Chief Kerry Stallings, who most recently oversaw security for the University System of Georgia.
Mayor Michael Owens praised Stallings during the meeting, calling him “a rockstar” and saying he believes Stallings will serve the city well.
Owens said the city conducted a national search before selecting Stallings.
“We’ve been very diligent about this,” Owens said.
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Mableton currently has a one-year agreement with Cobb County for police services. The city plans to use a transition period as it prepares to take over policing responsibilities.
The city’s contract with Cobb County ends May 31, 2027, which is also when Mableton expects to have its police department fully operational.
Stallings will serve as both public safety director and emergency management director. Owens said the combined responsibilities are important because of the risks and infrastructure within Mableton.
“We have a flight path runs right through Mableton. We have a major interstate. We have a major river. We have industrial sites throughout the city,” Owens said. “We have to make sure we are prepared not just from a police sense, but from an Emergency Management and quality of life overall.”
Stallings said he is ready to get to work.
The move comes as some residents continue to question the city’s future.
About 2,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Mableton to dissolve as a city. The petition cites concerns about potential tax increases and the cost of duplicating services already provided by Cobb County.
“We have to stand up strong for what democracy is, and that means elections are held and once elections are held and certified, we’ve gone through this before,” Owens said.
During Wednesday’s meeting, some residents also asked city leaders for greater transparency and communication as Mableton continues building its government.
“We just ask for transparency as we go through this process...That’s what builds trust,” one resident said during public comment.
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Owens acknowledged the petition but pointed out that Mableton’s roughly 80,000 residents voted to create the city.
Mableton became the first new city in Cobb County when voters approved its incorporation.
“Everything we do here is setting a new precedent, moving us forward, but I have no doubt that we’re doing the right thing, for the right people in this city,” Owens said.
The city expects a three-month transition period as it moves from Cobb County police services to its own department.
Even after Mableton establishes its police department, city officials said there will still be a mutual-aid agreement with Cobb County.
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