A New Era of Policing Begins in Austell, Ga., with Black Woman Chief

June 10, 2025

Shameta Jones-Harrell has made history as the first woman to lead a police department in Cobb County, Georgia, after being sworn in as Austell's police chief. With over 20 years in law enforcement, Jones-Harrell previously served in College Park and Brookhaven Police Departments where she held various roles including detective, SWAT team member, and eventually major before joining Austell as deputy chief in 2021. Her key priorities include increasing female representation, enhancing community engagement, and achieving state accreditation for the department.

Who is affected

Residents of Austell, Georgia
The Austell Police Department and its officers
Female officers and potential recruits in law enforcement
Faith-based communities through programs like "One Congregation One Precinct"
The broader Cobb County community

What action is being taken

Jones-Harrell is working toward securing state accreditation for the Austell Police Department
She is focusing on increasing female representation within the police force
She is enhancing community engagement initiatives
She is implementing daily patrol strategies aimed at reducing violent crime
She is continuing approximately 60 community outreach efforts

Why it matters

Jones-Harrell's appointment marks the first time a woman has led any police department in Cobb County's history
Her leadership brings a focus on accountability, training, and inclusion
Her community policing approach aims to build stronger relationships between police and the communities they serve
Her emphasis on female representation addresses historical gender imbalances in law enforcement
Her initiatives have reportedly contributed to violent crime reduction in Austell

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint