After 32 weeks of intense training, 41 new troopers will report to one of the 52 patrol posts throughout the state. He graduated from Effingham County High School in 1990 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education from Georgia Southern University in 1994. The City of Hazlehurst funded this project with the support of Mayor R. Bayne Stone; Jeff Davis, Chamber of Commerce; Gregg Gillis, Building Superintendent; council members Dwayne Johnson, John A. Rampay, Diane Leggett, and John Bloodworth; and the Board of Public Safety, to name a few. This year's Christmas holiday travel period begins Friday, Dec. 23, at 6 p.m., and ends . Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure youre on an official state website. Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office. In 2005, he was promoted to Lieutenant of Troop F before being appointed to the Troop I Commander in 2011. He was selected by the Department to participate in the security detail for the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay as it traveled across the country. GSP Troopers primarily operate on the long stretches of Interstate highway as well as providing SWAT team response to rural areas of the state. certification eligibility. Colonel Wright began his career with the Georgia State Patrol as a Radio Operator in 1994 at Post 31, Valdosta. Prior to this appointment, he served as Major and South Adjutant of the Georgia State Patrol. 5.2 Previously issued equipment. She was assigned to Post 29 - Cedartown following graduation before being assigned to the Executive Protection Unit in 2003. Colonel Chris Wright, upon his appointment as Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, also made the appointments below, effective by October 16, 2020: Major Joshua Lamb #4 How you know. Their daughter, Gracen, attends the University of Georgia and their son, Will, is a student at Southeast Bulloch High School. Lieutenant Colonel Hitchens moved up through the ranks as Corporal, Sergeant, and Post Commander, receiving all promotions at Post 45 - Statesboro. ATLANTA (WSAV) - Officials say 30 members of a Georgia State Patrol (GSP) school were fired Wednesday morning. As a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College, Lieutenant Colonel Hitchens holds a masters degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University. He was appointed to this position on March 1, 2020. On February 28, 1974, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was made an independent agency separate from the Georgia Department of Public Safety. He served as the South Adjutant of Georgia State Patrol Troops F, G, H, and I. Norwalk Reflector, Ohio. Lieutenant Colonel Hitchens and his wife, Angie, have resided in Statesboro for the past 30 years. Colonel William W. Hitchens, III is the Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Public Safety. Prior to serving as South Adjutant, he served as the Troop I Commander from December 2015 to February 2019. In 1937, Governor E.D. A Georgia State Patrol trooper was shot today as police moved in to an area where protesters previously identified as domestic terrorists have been camping to prevent the construction of a new police training center. Prior to his appointment as Troop Commander, Colonel Wright moved up the ranks of the Georgia State Patrol in Reidsville, Valdosta, Jekyll Island, and Statesboro. Lieutenant Colonel Stallings graduated from the 79th Trooper School in October 2002. He served as the South Adjutant of Georgia State Patrol Troops F, G, H, and I. Temple University Police Department He was also a member of the Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure youre on an official state website. Prior to this appointment, he served as the South Adjutant of the Georgia State Patrol. Colonel Wright began his career with the Georgia State Patrol as a Radio Operator in 1994 at Post 31, Valdosta. An entire class of Georgia State Patrol troopers has been accused of cheating on an exam. He was the first in his family to earn a college degree. They have three children: Morgan, Carter, and Sophia. She began her career with the Georgia State Patrol in 1997 when she became a radio operator at Post 4 - Villa Rica. . Officers automatically become first class troopers after 7 years of . He also holds the rank of Colonel with the Georgia State Patrol. She began her career with the Georgia State Patrol in 1997 when she became a radio operator at Post 4 - Villa Rica. The inspections range from "full" vehicle and driver inspectionswhich include mechanical componentsto "driver only" inspections. ATLANTA -- Authorities said they killed a man who shot and injured a Georgia state trooper Wednesday morning as law enforcement officers tried to clear protesters from the site of a planned Atlanta-area public safety training center that activists have dubbed "Cop City." Ogiekpolor opened and directed others to open at least 50 fraudulent business bank accounts that received over $9.5 million dollars from various online frauds, including romance frauds and business email compromise . Lieutenant Colonel Stallings graduated from the 79th Trooper School in October 2002. Colonel Wright holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies from Georgia Southern University. WA - Feb 11, 2023. I am grateful for their willingness to serve, and look forward to working together to ensure Georgia's best and safest days are ahead.". Missouri Wing headquarters are located in Whiteman Air Force Base. Stephanie L. Stallingswill serve as Lieutenant Colonel of the Georgia State Patrol and Director of Support and Administrative Operations. He currently resides in McIntosh County on the Georgia Coast. 5.1 Current equipment. [5], Georgia Capitol Police is one of the divisions of the Georgia Department of Public Safety responsible for law enforcement of the Capitol Hill area of Atlanta, Georgia. Vowell retired from the state patrol in 1996. Call 1-800-GEORGIA to verify that a website is an official website of the State of Georgia. (FORSYTH) - The Georgia State Patrol graduated its 100th Trooper School on Friday, August 18, at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. He currently resides in McIntosh County on the Georgia Coast. 9 See also. "I want to thank Colonel Vowell for his service to the people of Georgia. This division consists of the following units and programs: The GSP currently uses Dodge Chargers which are painted in the blue and gray scheme, and are currently issuing out Dodge Durangos, Dodge Challengers, and Chevrolet Camaros. An official website of the State of Georgia. Chief of Staff, Department of Public Safety, Major Kendrick D. Lowe #5 Prior to this appointment, Lieutenant Colonel Stallings served as the Director of the Public Information Office for the Georgia Department of Public Safety since March 2019. Prior to serving as South Adjutant, he served as the Troop I Commander from December 2015 to February 2019. Lieutenant Colonel Hitchens began his career with the Georgia State Patrol as a Cadet Trooper in 1994 at Post 21 Sylvania. He has one daughter, Lashley. Upon Colonel Wrights swearing in today, he announced the appointment of Lieutenant Stephanie Stallings to serve as Lieutenant Colonel of the Georgia State Patrol and Director of Support/Administrative Operations, overseeing several divisions of the agency. Italian authorities arrested three people and were looking for a fourth suspect who they believe trafficked up to 200 migrants aboard a wooden boat that smashed apart on rocks off southern Italy on Sunday, killing at least 65 people. I-95 heading towards Savannah, Brunswick, and the state of Florida is a major location for GSP troopers due to the high volume of drugs and other criminal activity on that interstate. The Board of Public Safety voted on Wednesday to approve Lieutenant Colonel Chris Wright to serve as the next Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety and Colonel of the Georgia State Patrol, following Interim Commissioner Gary Vowells planned departure, effective September 30, 2020. How you know. Please enable Cookies and reload the page. She will oversee the Support Operations Unit to include the Capitol Police Division, Dignitary Protection Unit, the Special Services Mansion Security, Regional K-9 Task Force, Honor Guard, Governors Task Force, and the Agencys Support Detachments; the Headquarters Adjutant which includes Fleet Services, Supply, Facilities and Communications, the Technology Division, the Comptrollers Office, Budget Office, Purchasing, and Accounting; the Training Division; the Office of Public Safety Support; and the Public Information Office. Agency Logo: "As Colonel Vowell leaves the Department, it is. He was also a member of the Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team. He was selected by the Department to participate in the security detail for the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay as it traveled across the country. As of February2019,[update] the lieutenant colonel is Tommy Waldrop. [1] The Kansas Wing consists of nearly 400 cadet and adult members at 9 locations across the state of Kansas. In June 2007, he graduated from theFBI National Academy, Session #229. The Georgia State Patrol Colonel, P4P3RF0RS4L3, stopped a Green SUV for driving recklessly on the road, so he pulled the car over, turns out it's the Sheriff. Colonel Chris Wright to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. He also served as the Troop H Commander from December 2011 to December 2015. As Commissioner, he oversees the operations of the Department of Public Safety, including the Georgia State Patrol, the Motor Carrier Compliance Division, the Capitol Police Division, Legal Services Office, Executive/Mansion Security, and the Chief Financial Officer/Comptrollers Office. He was selected to attend the 69th Georgia State Patrol Trooper School in 1994 and upon graduation in 1995 was assigned to Post 31, Valdosta. The Georgia Department of Public Safety (GDPS) is a state body that is responsible for statewide law enforcement and public safety within the U.S. state of Georgia. $62,799 / yr. 5 Equipment. Lt. Pictured from left: Lt. Col. Russell Powell, DPS Deputy Commissioner; Maj. Eddie Grier, GSP Commanding Officer; and Col. Mark McDonough, DPS Commissioner. In December 2012, he graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy, Session #251. She began her career with the Georgia State Patrol in 1997 when she became a radio operator at Post 4 Villa Rica. GSP Troopers primarily operate on the long stretches of Interstate highway as well as providing SWAT team response to rural areas of the state. Lieutenant Colonel Stallings is an active member of the Department of Public Safetys Critical Incident Support Team which provides peer support to public safety personnel across the state during their time of need. Recently Fallen. Custom Georgia Highway Patrol Car Georgia State Trooper With Custom Badge Number and Name Aluminum Stand Off Police Wall Decor 8" x 10". In 2005, he was promoted to Lieutenant of Troop F before being appointed to the Troop I Commander in 2011. He oversees Training/Recruiting, Aviation, Planning & Research, Honor Guard, Governor's Task Force, Regional K-9 Task Force, and Agency Support Detachments. Members of the Hazlehurst City Council, Georgia Department of Corrections, Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Public Safety, DPS command staff and Post 16 personnel were in attendance. Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. The current Commissioner of the department is Chris C. Wright, who is also Colonel of the Georgia State Patrol. We are appreciative of the City of Hazlehurst in their continued support with this new facility. Colonel Wright holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies from Georgia Southern University. [12], Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of law enforcement agencies in Georgia, "History | Georgia Department of Public Safety", "Peach State Protectors: The Georgia State Patrol's Glock 43", "State troopers now carrying patrol rifles", "No indictment for Georgia officer who killed Black driver", "Georgia to pay $4.8 million in state trooper's killing of Black man", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Georgia_State_Patrol&oldid=1135897668, Trust, Fortitude, Compassion, Professionalism. Located in Whiteman Air Force Base Stallingswill serve as lieutenant Colonel Stallings graduated from the 79th School! Director of Support and Administrative Operations Colonel Vowell for his service to the people of Georgia the inspections range ``! Also a member of the Georgia State Patrol and Director of Support and Operations... Gsp troopers primarily operate on the long stretches of Interstate highway as well as providing team... 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