Atlanta Police Red Dog Unit to be Disbanded

ATLANTA - Atlanta Police called a news conference to discuss their Red Dog Narcotics Unit Monday and announced they are disbanding the unit.

Atlanta Police Chief George Tuer made the announcement from the Public Safety Headquarters in Atlanta late Monday moing.

Tuer says taking to the streets to battle narcotics in local communities -- the Red Dog Unit's orginal mission -- is not needed as much.

The unit had been in operation for more than two decades. Several Red Dog officers were involved in the Atlanta Eagle Bar raid in 2009.

APD officials say a new unit will takes its place over the next 60 days and have a new look, a new mission and its duties will be expanded to include a focus on violent crime and to incorporate new technologies into the unit.

Officials say officers currently serving in the Red Dog unit will have to re-apply if they wish to serve in the new unit.