The Command Staff for the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office consists of leaders from all five divisions, bureau directors, the Office of the Chief, and the Office of the Sheriff. Command Staff Sheriff Keybo Taylor Sheriff Keybo Taylor was elected on November 3, 2020, and took office on January 1, 2021. A native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Sheriff Taylor joined the Gwinnett County Police Department in 1983. With over 30 years of law enforcement experience, he has been involved in undercover investigations within the Criminal Investigations Division and the Special Investigations Section. In 1994, he was assigned to the FBI Drug Task Force. He later served as a supervisor in both the Uniform Division and Special Operations (COPS Program), as well as in the Criminal Investigations (Narcotics Squad) Unit. In 2000, Sheriff Taylor was promoted to Lieutenant and became the Unit Commander, leading the Gwinnett County Drug Task Force. By 2007, he had advanced to the position of Major, managing both the East and South precincts. Sheriff Taylor attributes much of his career advancement to his dedication to education and professional development. He holds a Bachelor of Administration in Criminal Justice from Mercer University and a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University. Additionally, he has received 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 Georgia Law Enforcement Command College Class #10 graduate from the DEA Drug Unit Command Academy, and a certified Crisis Intervention Trainer. As a former youth football coach, he enjoys mentoring adolescents and fostering positive behavior by using sports as a platform for growth and teamwork. He also prioritizes quality time with his three children and eight grandchildren. Cleo Atwater Chief Cleophas Atwater was appointed Chief of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office on January 1, 2021. He began his law enforcement career in Rockdale County at the City of Conyers Police Department. He is a graduate of the 37th Gwinnett County Police Academy where he served 24 years. During his tenure with the Gwinnett County Police Department, Chief Atwater was promoted at regular intervals and served in multiple divisions. He served in the uniform, training, and the criminal investigations division. Chief Atwater spent 14 years in the criminal investigations division supervising high profile units such as Narcotics, VICE, Gangs, Robbery, and Homicide. He was awarded the Chief’s Unit Citation for all three units. As a collateral duty, Chief Atwater served 19 years on the SWAT team. He was appointed by the Chief of Police to serve as the SWAT Team Commander, establishing the first Gwinnett full time SWAT Team. After an appointment to the rank of Major, Chief Atwater served as the Assistant Criminal Investigations Commander. Under his command, he diligently led his team to establish investigative protocols that included a victim centered approach. Chief Atwater is proud to serve as second in command of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. Under the leadership of Sheriff Taylor, Chief Atwater has continued to work with those under his command to protect the citizens of our community. The establishment of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit (TRACE) is a testament to these continued efforts. The TRACE Unit is recognized across the country for providing resources to victims of human trafficking and bringing to justice offenders that prey on our most vulnerable populations. Chief Atwater is a collaborative leader, with a community first approach to law enforcement. He believes that exhibiting integrity and building trust must be at the core of shaping organizational culture. 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. Chief Atwater has obtained over 4,000 hours of basic and specialized training. Chief Atwater is a two-time Officer of the Year recipient and a two-time Distinguished Service Medal recipient. EXECUTIVE COMMAND STAFF Deputy Chief Melanie Jones Administrative Bureau Director Deputy Chief Antonio Webster Operations Bureau Director Assistant Chief Evette McKenzie Administrative Services Division Commander Assistant Chief Jeremy Brown Support Operations Division Commander Assistant Chief Ben Haynes Jail Operations Division Commander Assistant Chief Bryant Harris Field Operations Division Commander Assistant Chief James Casey Court Operations Division Commander Colonel & Majors Jail Operations Colonel Fernando Perlaza Assistant Jail Commander Major Michael Kotowski Team 1 Watch Commander Major Ilene Nichols Team 2 Watch Commander Major Tonya Culberson Team 3 Watch Commander Major Richard Braziunas Team 4 Watch Commander Field Operations Major Trakida Maldonado Major Nicholas Higgins Mental Health Section Criminal Investigations Section Major John Neal Civil Process Section Major Darryl Nelson Special Investigations Section Support Operations Major Nicolette McLeod Support Services Section Major James Redfern Building Security Section Administrative Services Major John Gardner Major Anthony Hilliard Professional Standards Section Training Section Court Operations Major Batinna Thornhill GJAC & Annex Security Section

This is the official website of the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office in Lawrenceville, Georgia. GCSO is responsible for all jail housing within the county of Gwinnett, as well as court security. We offer programs such as G.R.I.P., Explorer POST 699, Mental Health Task Force, and Community Outreach. Mission Statement Serve and protect through dedication, professionalism, active cooperation with the community, and respect for human dignity. The Gwinnett County Jail supports the mission by providing a safe and humane environment for inmates that will protect the public and staff through modern Jail techniques and training in the principles of direct supervision. Welcome from Sheriff Keybo Taylor Welcome to the official website of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. Gwinnett County has a population of more than 1 million, is home to 17 municipalities and is located approximately 30 miles northeast of Atlanta. The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office is progressively working to build stronger relationships between the community and law enforcement. Under the leadership of our Sheriff, we are fostering an environment that embraces the diversity within Gwinnett County. We are committed to serving and protecting with care and compassion . The Sheriff App Download and stay updated on news and current events. The Sheriff App Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Google Play Store Apple Store

The Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act of 2024 aims to enhance cooperation between state and local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities in order to identify and detain criminal illegal aliens. Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act of 2024 The Georgia Criminal Alien Track and Report Act of 2024 aims to enhance cooperation between state and local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities in order to identify and detain criminal illegal aliens. Key provisions include: Authorizing law enforcement officers to verify the immigration status of individuals accused of certain misdemeanor offenses prior to releasing them on citation; Requiring state and local agencies to enter into agreements with federal immigration authorities to assist with the enforcement of immigration laws; Mandating that custodial authorities honor immigration detainer notices and report information on foreign-born inmates; Imposing penalties on local governments that adopt "sanctuary" policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement; Requiring the Department of Audits and Accounts to review and audit annual reports on agency compliance with immigration-related laws; Expanding the collection of DNA samples from certain convicted felons subject to immigration detainers. The bill aims to promote compliance with state laws related to deterring the presence of criminal illegal aliens in Georgia. Learn more Georgia HB1105 Quarterly Reports September 29, 2026 Click Here June 29, 2026 Click Here March 29, 2026 Click Here December 29, 2025 Click Here September 29, 2025 Click Here June 30, 2025 Click Here March 31, 2025 Click Here October 1, 2024 Click Here July 1, 2024 Click Here *Disclaimer: For optimal results, please open documents using the Google Chrome browser.