Police Chief Register receives SCLC Leadership Award

Chief Michael Register receives Leadership Award from Cobb SCLC's

Dr. Ben Williams and Dr. Cheryl Graves

CORRECTION-  Lisa Cupid is Cobb County Commissioner, not a councilwoman as previously reported. The incident occurred before Register became police chief.

Cobb County, Ga.'s new police chief is trying to change the culture and image of his department. The police department is known for public relations debacles stemming from Cobb Commissioner Lisa Cupid being followed by an undercover policeman, to a negative report from a policing agency, to an officer being fired for saying they "only kill black people." Michael Register came to the SCLC Gala Saturday night to receive kudos from the community. He has been in his new position almost nine months.

Candid shot of Register before the award

And he seems like a gentleman with all the right answers. Here are his remarks made after receiving the SCLC Executive Leadership Award Saturday night.

"I appreciate it, and it's very important to me, and it's important to the police department.  I have members of my command staff in the back and also my executive assistant. It's a team effort. It's a team effort with them and with the community. We want us to stand together. 

"We love you, and we want you to love us," Register told the crowd.

"I've been in a lot of places in this world, whether it's been Afghanistan, Iraq or Haiti, and I have noticed that all people want the same things. They want to be happy, they want opportunity, and they want justice. They want those things.

"We are trying to re-brand the Cobb County Police Department. Our brand now is commitment, service, and partnership.  And we want you to believe and know that we are committed to giving the best service that we possibly can to the citizens of this community that we cherish. And we want to build a partnership stronger than it is, but we've got to do it together as a community. 

"We're your police department, and you're our community.  We love you, and we want you to love us. Thank you."

Register with fellow policemen, Dr. Williams, and the Cobb County District Attorney.