DeKalb, Dunwoody Cops Win Awards At State Police Conference

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — A DeKalb County detective and Dunwoody police sergeant won outstanding officer awards at a statewide law enforcement conference earlier this month, GACP officials said in news releases.

DeKalb County police Detective Casey Benton was named Georgia's outstanding police officer of the year, and Dunwoody police Sgt. Robert Parsons was named Georgia's outstanding police supervisor of the year at the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police summer conference July 20.

Benton has spent the last five years assigned to DeKalb County Police Department's special victims unit, but has worked for DCPD for the last 15 years.

He's also been part of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, receiving 115 cyber tips that led to 14 arrests for sexual exploitation of children, child pornography and other operations, as well as four arrests for sex trafficking. Benton is also credited with helping develop a sex trafficking research tool for the Georgia Institute of Technology.

“When complete, it is believed that this tool will be at the forefront of investigations for ICAC units across the country,” the release said.

Over in Dunwoody, Parsons — a 12-year veteran of Dunwoody PD — is the department's public information officer. He was recognized for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, personnel changes and last summer's protests against racism and police brutality.

The news release said he was "very responsive to media inquiries and provided accurate, detailed information regarding threats or incidents in the city."