Major Reginald Pettis joined the Atlanta Police Department in November 2006 and has served in a wide range of patrol, investigative, specialized, and leadership assignments throughout his career. His diverse experience has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of both field operations and criminal investigations.

Major Pettis began his career as a police officer, serving in assignments that included Zone 2 Patrol, the RED DOG Unit, Vice, Zone 3 Patrol, and the Zone 3 Field Investigation Team. During these assignments, he developed extensive experience in crime suppression, proactive policing, criminal investigations, report writing, interviewing, evidence collection, and courtroom testimony.

In January 2013, Pettis was promoted to Police Investigator and assigned to the Zone 3 Criminal Investigation Division, where he investigated and managed a variety of criminal cases. He was promoted to Sergeant in July 2014 and served in Zone 5 in several supervisory capacities, including the Midtown Crime Suppression Unit, Underground Atlanta, and both Morning and Evening Watches. His professional development during this period also included advanced tactical and firearms training through the department's Tactical Field Officer program.

Pettis was promoted to Lieutenant in January 2019 and continued to gain extensive command experience within the Field Operations Division. As a lieutenant, he served in several assignments, including Commander of Zone 2 Day Watch, Zone 2 Administration, Zone 2 Criminal Investigations, Auto Crimes Enforcement Unit and the Homeland Security Unit.

In May 2022, Pettis was promoted to Captain. In this role, he was responsible for supervising personnel and operations, evaluating crime trends, developing operational and investigative strategies, and recommending changes to departmental procedures to improve effectiveness. He also remained focused on emerging changes in criminal law, policing practices, and organizational policy to ensure departmental strategies remained responsive to the needs of the community.

In January 2026, Pettis was promoted to Major and assumed responsibility for the Atlanta Police Department's Property Crimes Section. In this role, he oversees investigative operations focused on property-related offenses and is responsible for ensuring effective case management, investigative quality, personnel development, operational accountability, and coordination of strategies designed to improve investigative outcomes.

Major Pettis earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University in 2006. He completed Tier IV of the Atlanta Police Leadership Institute in 2019 and graduated from the FBI National Academy, Session #282, in Quantico, Virginia, in 2022. In December 2023, he earned a Master of Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University.