Doraville is officially without its long-serving police chief, after he was appointed to replace a state official who was indicted on fraud charges.
John King, who had led the police department since 2002, was sworn in Monday as Georgia’s insurance commissioner, becoming the first Hispanic constitutional officer in state history. Sunday was his last day with the DeKalb County city.
To replace King, the city promoted Assistant Chief Charles Atkinson to be interim chief.
» READ MORE: King new insurance chief, Georgia’s first Hispanic statewide official
Atkinson has been with the police department since 1994, serving as commander of the criminal investigation and uniform divisions. He was promoted from captain to major in 2010 and became an assistant chief last year. He has served as acting chief before, when King went overseas for military service.
The plans to find a permanent replacement for King are unclear. A job opening for police chief has not been posted on Doraville’s career website.
The city has tentatively scheduled to hold a formal farewell to King on Friday, July 12.
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He was appointed in mid-June to be acting insurance commissioner after the elected one, Jim Beck, was accused in a 38-count indictment of scheming to steal $2 million from his former employer, in part to fund his election campaign. Beck sent a letter to Gov. Brian Kemp asking to be suspended pending adjudication of his case.
King said he will run for a full term as insurance commissioner in 2022. His agency regulates insurance and small-loan businesses. The commissioner also serves as the state fire marshal.
King has extensive law enforcement and military experience but no insurance background. Through the Army National Guard, he has served in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq and Afghanistan.
— Staff reporter James Salzer contributed to this report.
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