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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 Jermaine Jackson Administrative Services Division Commander Assistant Chief Jeremy Brown Support Operations Division Commander Assistant Chief Evette McKenzie Jail Operations Division Commander Assistant Chief Austin Godfrey Field Operations Division Commander Assistant Chief James Casey Court Operations Division Commander Colonel & Majors Jail Operations Colonel Benjamin Haynes 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 Fernando Perlaza Mental Health Section Criminal Investigations Section Major John Neal Civil Process Section Major Darryl Nelson Special Investigations Section Support Operations Major James Redfern Support Services Section Major Dante Royal Building Security Section Administrative Services Major John Gardner Major Bryant Harris Professional Standards Section Training Section Court Operations Major Batinna Thornhill GJAC & Annex Security Section

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