GACP State News and Announcements - Winter 2025

District 1

Telly Williams was named as the Cecil Police Chief on September 12, 2024. He replaced Lameisha Collins, who served in the position for the past year.

Kenneth Wilcox was named as the McRae-Helena Police Chief on October 25, 2024.  Chief Wilcox has 35 years of law enforcement experience and served as the deputy chief for the past nine years. He previously served as the McRae police chief prior to the two cities consolidating. He replaces Chief Glenn Giles, who served as the chief for the past nine years.

Phillip Beeson was named as the Interim Chief for the Enigma Police Department on November 25, 2024.  He replaced William Gilliard, who had served as the chief since 2020.

Dennis Dorsey was named as the Interim Chief for the Valdosta State University Police Department. Chief Dorsey has 30 years of law enforcement experience and most recently served with the University of North Georgia for the past nine years, where he rose to the rank of Captain.

District 2

Coolidge Police Chief Drew Campbell resigned on November 11, 2024, after four years of service as chief.

District 3

David Jackson was named as the Woodbury Police Chief on September 9, 2024. Chief Jackson has 13 years of law enforcement experience.  He succeeds Ervin Swain, who previously served in the position.

Keith Flory was named as the Chief Marshal for the Troup County Marshal’s Office on August 7, 2024.  Chief Flory prior to this appointment he served with the sheriff’s office for 30 years.

Joshua Smith was named as the Acting Police Chief for the Columbus State University Police Department. Chief Smith has served with the department for 18 years.

District 4

Forsyth Police Chief Woodrow Blue was appointed to the Georgia Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Advisory Board by Governor Brian P. Kemp on October 1, 2024.

Ebonique Heywood was named as the Acting Police Chief for the Gordon State Department of Public Safety.  Chief Heywood has 18 years of law enforcement experience.

District 6

Lennie Reolegia was name as the Interim Brooklet Police Chief.  She has 27 years of law enforcement experience and replaces Chief Gary Roberts, who retired after 44 years of law enforcement experience and four years as the Brooklet Police Chief.

Matthew Lynn was named as the Reidsville Police Chief on December 16, 2024.  Chief Lynn has 23 years of law enforcement experience.

District 7

Kevin Jarriel was named as the Twin City Police Chief.  He replaced Chief Henry Whiters who resigned on September 13, 2024, after serving as chief for four years.

Yoquan Bennett was named as the Wadley Police Chief on August 29, 2024. Chief Bennett has served with the department for five years.  He replaces Paul Jordan, who served in the position for the past two years.

James Woodcock was named as the Acting Springfield Police Chief on October 24, 2024. Chief Woodcock has served with the department for 11 years.  He replaces Chief Paul Wynn, who had served with the department for the past 31 years.

John Riner was selected as the Swainsboro Police Chief on 12/16/2024. He has 35 years of law enforcement experience and has served with the department for the past nine years.

District 8

William David Gilleland was appointed as the Walker County Police Chief on September 13, 2024.  Chief Gilleland has 28 years of law enforcement experience. He replaced Chief Hal Gray, who served in the position for the past two years.

David Wright was named as the Interim Police Chief of the East Georgia College Police Department in Swainsboro.  He has served with the department for two years.

District 9

Michael Steffman was named as the Acting Chief of the Braselton Police Department on October 1, 2024.  Chief Steffman has 24 years of law enforcement experience and has served with the department for 19 years.  He replaced Terry Esco, who had served as chief for 33 years.

Douglas Forrester was named as the Chief Marshal for Franklin County on October 10, 2024.  Chief Forrester has 28 years of law enforcement experience.  He replaced Freddie Akins, who resigned in August.

On November 19, 2024, Bruce Carlisle was named as the Toccoa Police Chief.  He replaced Jimmy Mize, who served with the department for 30 years and the last six years as the chief. Chief Carlisle previously served as the Lavonia Police Chief for 22 years prior to retiring.

James Arwood was named the Watkinsville Police Chief on December 2, 2024.  Chief Arwood has 21 years of law enforcement service and has served as the Assistant Chief of the Jefferson Police Department for the last six years.

The City of Sky Valley named Timothy Wallis as their Police Chief on December 2, 2024.  Chief Wallis has 31 years of law enforcement service and most recently served as an investigator for the Gwinnett Couty District Attorney’s Office.

District 11

Georgia Department of Public Safety Lt. Colonel Joshua Lamb was appointed to the Georgia Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Advisory Board by Governor Brian P. Kemp on October 1, 2024.

Terral ‘Russ’ Drew as named as the Chief of Police for the newly formed Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Police Department on November 18, 2024.