Mableton contract dispute stalls permanent county police agreement

Mableton police agreement expires over court row

More than 100 police officers have been deputized to maintain local law enforcement services after a contract between Cobb County and the city of Mableton expired over a municipal court dispute, according to county officials.  

MABLETON, Ga. - Cobb County and the city of Mableton have hit a standstill over law enforcement services after their primary safety agreement officially expired. 

Because Mableton does not have an independent police department, the city previously relied on county officers for local protection.

County police contract impasse

What we know:

Mableton has used Cobb County police to protect and serve the city under a shared agreement since it became a city in 2022. That partnership recently expired because Mableton leaders want to route local misdemeanor citations through their own municipal court. 

Currently, those cases go through Cobb County State Court, and county officials stated this proposed shift was never part of the original deal. Cobb County Public Safety Director Mike Register said officials had very little time to examine the request, which would cause a massive operational and administrative impact. 

To prevent an immediate loss of law enforcement coverage, the Cobb County Sheriff stepped in to deputize more than 100 police officers to continue working seamlessly inside the Mableton city limits. 

Cobb County Police Chief Dan Ferrell confirmed that this legal authority allows the department to maintain the exact same services as before. 

Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid expressed frustration over the breakdown, noting that citizens have an expectation of trust. Cupid warned that the temporary setup cannot last forever and expects Mableton to stick to the tenants of the initial agreement. 

Mableton Mayor Michael Owens stated that he wants a court that meets the demands of his citizens and committed to working through the issues to find a deal that serves both sides. 

Future municipal safety contract

What we don't know:

Officials have not yet confirmed any upcoming meeting dates between city and county leaders to resume formal contract negotiations. It remains unclear how long the sheriff will need to maintain the emergency deputization of county officers before a permanent solution is reached. 

Mableton police contract dispute stalls renewal

Cobb County has deputized more than 100 police officers to maintain law enforcement services in Mableton after contract negotiations stalled over municipal court fees, according to county officials.  

Additionally, authorities have not stated how the two sides will resolve the municipal court dispute if both parties refuse to alter their positions on handling misdemeanor citations.