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Organization

The Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office is comprised of the following organizational structure: Office of the Sheriff, Office of the Chief, Administrative Bureau, and Operations Bureau   

On November 3, 2020, Sheriff Keybo Taylor was elected as the first African American Sheriff for the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office. A native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Sheriff Taylor joined the Gwinnett County Police Department in 1983. His 30 years of law enforcement experience included undercover investigations that encompassed the Criminal Investigations Division and the Special Investigations Section. By 1994, Taylor was assigned to the FBI Drug Task Force. In 1995, he became the first African American to be promoted to Sergeant. He continued his career as a supervisor in the Uniform Division. Taylor also served as a first-line supervisor in Special Operations (COPS Program) and Criminal Investigations (Narcotics Squad). In 2000, Taylor was promoted to Lieutenant and served as Unit Commander leading the Gwinnett County Drug Task Force. By 2007, Taylor received his appointment as Major; he was the first African American within the Gwinnett County Police Department to achieve the rank of Major. As a Major, he managed both the East and South precincts. Sheriff Taylor credits a significant portion of his career advancement to his educational and professional development. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Mercer University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University. Sheriff Taylor has received the Intermediate, Advanced, Supervision, and Management certifications through the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST). He is also a Certified General Post Instructor, a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College Class X, a graduate of the DEA Drug Unit Command Academy, and a certified Crisis Intervention Trainer. Sheriff Keybo Taylor took office on January 1, 2021. Sheriff Taylor's first days in office were marked by an end to the 287(g) Program, the dissolution of the litigious Rapid Response Team, the installation of an Anti-Gang Unit, and the implementation of the Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit. As a former volunteer football coach, Sheriff Taylor still enjoys football games and mentoring youths about positive decision-making through sports. He also makes it a priority to spend family time with his three children and eight grandchildren.

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Chief

Cleophas Atwater

Cleophas Atwater was appointed Chief of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office on January 1, 2021. He began his career as a Gwinnett County Police Officer in December 1996 as a member of the 37th Police Academy. In September 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant where he served as the South Precinct Watch Commander, and as the Assistant Commander in the Criminal Investigations Division. In April 2016, he was appointed by the Chief of Police to serve as the Gwinnett County Special Weapons and Tactics Team Commander, dedicating over 19 years of honorable service. Appointed to Major in May 2018, he served as the Special Investigations Section Commander. Chief Atwater has earned promotions at regular intervals, as a Detective Sergeant he directed operations in specialized units such as Homicide, Robbery, Narcotics, VICE, and the Gang Unit. He has earned several certifications from the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.), including: General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, and Defensive Tactics Instructor. He has obtained more than 4,337 hours of basic and specialized training.

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