Alpharetta Public Safety Director Receives Egon Bittner Award

Staff Report

Gary D. George, director of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, was recently honored at the 104th CALEA law enforcement accreditation conference.

George was given the Egon Bittner Award, awarded to a chief executive who has consistently commanded over a CALEA accredited agency for 15 years or more.

As director of public safety, George oversees all public safety operations involving police, fire and 911 services within the city of Alpharetta.

This year’s conference was held in Schaumburg, Illinois.

“I am honored and grateful for this award,” George said. “However this award truly belongs to the men and women of Alpharetta public safety who work tirelessly to provide exceptional service to our community.”

Each year a very small number of law enforcement chief executives are presented with the Egon Bittner award. The award is named after Professor Egon Bittner who was a pioneer in the creation and development of the national CALEA program.

The purpose of CALEA, or Commission for the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, is to improve the delivery of public safety services primarily by: maintaining a body of standards, developed by public safety practitioners, covering a wide range of up-to-date public safety initiatives; establishing and administering an accreditation process; and recognizing professional excellence.

George was appointed as Alpharetta’s director of public safety in 2006. Before that, he served as chief of police between 2001 and 2006. Before coming to Alpharetta, he served as the police chief in Independence, Missouri, between 1997 and 2001.

Alpharetta Mayor David Belle-Isle praised the public safety director’s commitment to the city.

“Our city has been fortunate to have Gary as our public safety director for over 13 years,” he said. “He is a tremendous leader and has played a significant role in keeping the city of Alpharetta a tremendous place to live, work and play. I congratulate our director for his award and the men and women of Alpharetta public safety for their service.”

(Photo: Gary D. George, center, was given the Egon Bittner Award, awarded to a chief executive who has consistently commanded over a CALEA accredited agency for 15 years or more. Credit: Alpharetta Department of Public Safety)