Suwanee Police Chief Named Chief Of The Year

SUWANEE, GA — The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police has named Michael S. “Mike” Jones, police chief for the Suwanee Police Department as this year’s Outstanding Chief of the Year. Jones was selected as the 2018 recipient for his proactive contributions to his department, to the GACP, and to the state’s law enforcement community.

Jones was presented with this prestigious award Tuesday afternoon at GACP’s training conference in Savannah.

Jones began his law enforcement career in 1974, following in his father’s footsteps, with the City of Rome Police Department. He rose up through the ranks beginning as a radio operator and finally retiring in 1998 with the rank of major. He held positions in Rome as patrol officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant and finally as a major administering the field operations, support services and Administrative Services Bureaus. Jones was appointed chief of the Suwanee Police Department on Jan. 1, 1999.

According to GACP, "Jones has witnessed the explosive growth of the City of Suwanee and as a result thereof, the police department as well. Jones has always led with integrity, honesty and a genuine care for not only his employees but all citizens who live in or pass through the city. The department motto, Professional, Ethical, Knowledgeable are the stalwarts of the police department in Suwanee. He encourages his employees to continually seek self-improvement and as a result, fifty-nine percent of the department’s employees hold degrees in higher education."

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Jones has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Berry College and a Master’s Degree in public administration from Columbus State University. He is also a graduate of the 155th Session of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, VA. He also served as the president of GACP in 2008-2009.

The Suwanee Police Department has also received national recognition for an innovative program known as P.A.C.T. Police and Citizens Together. This innovative program assigns officers to different areas within the city and officers are required to attend local community meetings and civic events to insure the needs of the community are being met. This program has had a significant impact on crime within the city. The department is also State Certified through the GACP and Nationally Accredited with Excellence by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

Jones has been married to his wife Debbie for 40 years. They have two grown sons, Michael who is a lieutenant with the Gwinnett County Fire Department and Daniel who is a martial arts instructor. They have one grandson. Their favorite hobbies are riding motorcycles and camping.

Photo courtesy Suwanee Police Department