Excellence In Policing
Winter | 2025
Excellence in policing - Winter 2025
Reynolds PD, Pine Mountain PD, Euharlee PD, and Barnesville PD
Winter | 2025
Four small agencies from across the State were asked to respond to the following question: Describe why your agency sought to become state certified, benefits you have experienced from this process, how you achieved it (possibly how you overcame some challenges), and recommendations you have for other departments.
Reynolds Police Department - 8 Officers
The Reynolds Police Department’s authorized staffing level is eight officers. There are numerous reasons why the department sought to become state certified. One of the main reasons was state certification requires agencies to implement policies and procedures and ensure all officers act according to rules and regulations as well as local, state, and federal laws. Another reason the department had the ambition to become state certified was to save the taxpayers money by lowering their liability insurance premiums.
Some of the benefits we have experienced by becoming state certified is the respect we have received from the citizens in our community and other departments. One of the requirements for becoming state certified is having standards the department must abide by, which means officers act in accordance with established rules and standards. Another benefit the department experienced after becoming certified is the hiring and retention of better officers. One of the requirements of being state certified is a hiring process that includes testing for deception (polygraph), medical examinations to include drug screening, psychological screening, and thorough background investigations. These processes have helped to ensure any prospective officers who may have problems are identified and eliminated from the hiring process before they are brought into the department.
The Reynolds Police Department is small and does not have the workforce to have a full-time state certification manager. Before the agency became state certified, the department was short staffed like most other departments. There were some periods when the department only had three full-time sworn officers, which included the Chief of Police. To address this, the department used a strategic approach to earning certification was very strategic. Typically, the department has officers assigned to morning, swing, and night shifts. One officer was designated as the certification manager. This officer also performed other routine duties such as patrol, traffic enforcement, and answering calls for service. Becoming a state certified was so important for the department officers would work their shift and spend a few extra hours a day to focus on preparing for the mock and final assessments.
One challenge the department faced was funding. For example, some of the standards regulate evidence collection and storage. To comply with these standards, the evidence room had to be modified. This was one of the largest expenses.
One of the best recommendations we can give other departments is to reach out to state-certified departments for help, recommendations, and examples. There are many policies that can be easily adopted and modified for most departments. Most agencies are willing to share their policies; all the agency needs to do is ask them to share it. Another recommendation, if the budget allows, is to invest in PowerDMS. This program makes it easy to track compliance as well as other daily tasks to ensure the department is smoothly operated.
Chief Lonnie J. Holder
Chief Lonnie J. Holder is the Chief of Police for the Reynolds Police Department. Chief Holder attended Fort Valley State University in 1994. In 2009, he was a graduate of Taylor Leadership. In 2011, he was a graduate of Leadership Georgia. Chief Holder began his career with the Butler Police Department in 1998 and in 2007 was named as the Reynolds Police Chief where he has served for 17 years.
Pine Mountain Police Department - 10 Officers/2 Civilians
Upon assuming command of the Pine Mountain Police Department, one of the department’s first goals was to achieve state certification. Through proper focus, support, and encouragement, the department achieved this goal on May 13, 2019, becoming the smallest agency to obtain state certification. Our vision was simple, to instill greater public confidence and open the doors of the agency to professional review by an outside organization. This independent review determined the department’s policies were based on established management, professional, and legal standards as outlined through the Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program. This achievement instilled greater public confidence in the agency and its staff.
Although Pine Mountain is a small agency, its members understood their unique role in the community and the need to meet the community’s expectations. Traditional police practices have not always worked effectively because they did not align with the public’s expectations of our profession. At no other time in history have we seen such rapid changes and interpretations of our profession, and we, as police leaders, are expected to adapt. State certification enables leaders to reshape the culture of traditional policing through stringent hiring practices, extensive training, community trust, and accountability.
As a newly hired police chief and having observed the challenges faced by other agencies, the decision to pursue state certification was both clear and necessary. Not everyone understands the world of policing and the perception of that world can be an easy thing to manipulate if not guided by proper policies. The agency aimed to provide the Town of Pine Mountain with a department that operated in accordance with established practices rather than relying on outdated policies and practices that could unnecessarily subject the agency to negative scrutiny. When an agency operates with conceptual soundness and operational effectiveness under the accountability of the certification process, it fosters greater community trust and builds strong partnerships in our community.
One of the most significant challenges for agencies seeking state certified is transforming officers’ mindset and their reliance on outdated practices. Through training and holding individuals accountable, certified agencies produce higher-quality officers whose actions align with best practices, thereby reducing the likelihood of citizen complaints and civil liability claims. It requires a commitment to cooperate with government leaders and the community to be part of the change and move the agency in a positive direction together for the benefit of everyone.
As a chief, I strongly recommend all agencies, regardless of size, urge community leaders to reconsider the notion their current operations are sufficient and initiate steps to pursue state certification. Certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence in law enforcement by enhancing professional credibility, accountability, and transparency while increasing efficiency. If all agencies were state-certified, it would facilitate universal implementation of policies for critical tasks and required standards, providing statewide operational credibility and accountability. State certification is not just a badge of honor, it is a commitment to providing the highest level of service to your community. As a police leader, chiefs must be dedicated to pursuing this path of excellence, ensuring your agency remains responsive, accountable, and trustworthy.
Chief Daniel Ferrone
Chief Daniel Ferrone began his law enforcement journey in 1997 with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources until he joined the Pine Mountain Police Department in 2006. After a long tenure as the department’s canine handler, he later worked his way up the ranks until he was appointed Chief of Police in 2016.
Euharlee Police Department - 19 Officers (13 full-time and 6 part-time)
The Euharlee Police Department became a State Certified Law Enforcement Agency on October 13, 2022, the second of seven law enforcement agencies representing Bartow County. The police department staffing consists of 13 sworn full-time police officer positions, six sworn part-time police officer positions, and three non-sworn civilian support staff. We entered the journey of acquiring state certification, with little knowledge and experience of what to expect on the road ahead. We had full support and motivation from our city manager and elected officials to embark on the distinct honor of becoming a state-certified agency. The ultimate task was getting the buy-in and support from the members of the police department, who would need to understand the importance of certification and the changes that would have to take place to achieve it. Everyone in the organization was given clear explanations of why certain changes needed to take place, and its instilled pride knowing we were growing as a family. There was a saying posted on our department white board at the beginning of our certification process to help motivate employees, but also to give them a vision. The statement is from Andrew Carnegie, and it says, “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon goals.”
The success of the organization did not rely on the certification manager, or the command staff, but every employee within our agency. Every policy was sent out through Power DMS for every employee to review and provide feedback. All feedback was taken into consideration, which was used to customize our standard operating procedures to fit our agency and provided ownership to everyone involved in the process. Once we conducted our first mock assessment, we found we were on the right track in everything that we were doing, we just needed to make a few changes to meet the standards. This propelled us to push forward to make the necessary changes and gave us the confidence we needed to be successful at our final assessment. We found great benefit and honor to put our agency on display and represent our city to members of the assessment team, who were representing other professional law enforcement agencies.
Becoming state-certified demonstrates Euharlee Police Department’s commitment to professionalism and excellence, while instituting 21st century policing principles and best practices. Attaining our state law enforcement certification allows us to be our best and deliver superior service to our well-deserving community. To other law enforcement agencies, it is a symbol of excellence that we discharge our duties professionally, without bias, with transparency, and are willing to be held accountable. This has given our community and city leaders the confidence and comfort to know that the Euharlee Police Department is committed to excellence and accountability.
Our recommendation to agencies seeking state certification is to involve your entire department. Do not put the work on one or two employees, give everyone a chance to provide their input and feedback. Another important aspect is you (your agency) have to be fully transparent and prepared to accept critiques on where changes need to be made. It is a learning experience, that should propel your agency to grow and become “your” best! From the words of Deputy Chief Clifton Yeager, “If better is possible, good is not enough.”
Chief Jody Matthews
Chief Jody Matthews started his position with the City of Euharlee in June 2019. Chief Matthews began his law enforcement career in 2001, after serving six years in the United States Army. Chief Matthews completed the Chief Executive Training Program in 2019 through the Georgia Chief’s of Police Association, and he has also completed the Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (LEEDS) through the FBI-Atlanta Office in 2018. Chief Matthews is currently enrolled at Columbus State University pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
Barnesville Police Department - 18 Officers/1 Civilian
The Barnesville Police Department is comprised of 18 sworn officers and one civilian clerk who serve a population of approximately 6,329 residents within an area of about 6.1 square miles.
In recent years, numerous law enforcement agencies across Georgia have pursued state certification to enhance their credibility and operational efficiency. Increasing numbers of agencies are seeking to attain certification. The purpose of this article is to outline the Barnesville police department’s motivations for pursuing state certification, benefits experienced, challenges encountered during implementation, and recommendations for other departments considering this path.
“The journey to certification is not just about meeting requirements; it is about setting a new standard that inspires excellence all around!”
Motivation: The decision by the Barnesville Police department to attain state certification was motivated by a desire to improve its operational standards and the quality of its service delivery. Attaining certification demonstrates an agency’s commitment to excellence and accountability to the community. Georgia state certification serves as a benchmark, validating the agency’s adherence to established best practices and policies, ultimately fostering public trust.
Benefits: One notable benefit observed after attaining state certification was an increase in employee morale and cohesion. Staff members reported a heightened sense of pride in their work, feeling part of an agency recognized for professionalism and high standards. Furthermore, operational efficiency improved, as the guidelines established during the certification process streamlined procedures, reduced redundancies, and enhanced service delivery.
Challenges: The path to certification was not without challenges. Changes in upper management, particularly with the retirement of key leaders, created significant obstacles. The agency had to strategically revamp its operations to meet certification requirements. This involved comprehensive training sessions to ensure staff understood new processes and expectations. In addition, effective communication with staff was crucial in overcoming resistance to change and fostering a collaborative atmosphere.
Recommendations: For departments contemplating the certification process, several preparatory steps are recommended for success. First, it is vital to clearly understand certification requirements and engage staff in discussions at all levels of the department regarding the benefits of the process. Building a dedicated team to oversee the certification journey can facilitate effective planning and execution. Additionally, departments should anticipate potential challenges related to leadership transitions and invest in ongoing training to support employees throughout the changes.
In addition, the Barnesville Police Department is a member of the Georgia Police Accreditation Coalition (GPAC), an essential resource that supports agencies in their pursuit of certification and excellence. GPAC provided ongoing training and support related to state certification throughout the process. They also performed file reviews, answered questions, and conducted a mock assessment to help the agency achieve certification.
In conclusion, achieving Georgia state certification as an agency “opens” the door to a wealth of benefits. It elevates operational standards, boosts employee satisfaction, and positions agencies as a beacon of professionalism in the eyes of peers and the community. By taking a strategic approach to overcoming challenges and cultivating a spirit of collaboration, agencies can not only master the certification process but also strengthen their effectiveness and shine within their communities. The journey to certification is not just about meeting requirements; it is about setting a new standard that inspires excellence all around!
Chief Belinda Penamon
Chief Belinda Penamon has 18 years of law enforcement experience. She has served with the Barnesville Police Department for seven years and as the chief for one year.
