Gwinnett Tech Police Chief Nominated for Valor Award

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Submitted article

Chief Joe Markham, who leads Gwinnett Technical College’s campus police force, was honored by the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce’s Valor Awards as a nominee in the Leadership Award category.

“Chief Markham has been wholeheartedly committed to the safety of our faculty, staff and students on campus for 15 years. His strong experience and distinguished career in law enforcement before he joined Gwinnett Tech enabled him to elevate our campus police force enormously and set a standard of excellence that is a model in our system,” said Dr. Glen Cannon, president, Gwinnett Tech. “His dedication and leadership are unmatched, and we applaud his service to Gwinnett Tech and the community.”

The Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce’s Valor Awards annually recognize men and women who put their lives on the line in providing public safety for Gwinnett County citizens and businesses. The program provides the community the opportunity to thank its public safety professionals for their dedication and sacrifice. All of the nominees and winners were honored at the recent awards event and ceremony.

“It is certainly humbling to be nominated by your work peers for such a prestigious award,” said Chief Markham.

After retiring from a 40-year career with the Gwinnett County Police Department, Chief Markham transformed Gwinnett Tech’s safety and security office into a true police department that has functioned as a model for others in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). He manages 17 police officers and five security officers and has consulted with six Georgia technical colleges, helping develop police departments in four of them. Chief Markham also serves as chairperson of a TCSG statewide peer group.

At Gwinnett Tech, he manages the security, safety and parking needs for Gwinnett Tech, implemented a campus-wide emergency notification system, improved the campus communication system, prepared seasonal flu preparedness plans, and created a strong working relationship with Gwinnett County government.

— Article, photo submitted by Gwinnett Tech

Photo: Chief Joe Markham (center) and Gwinnett Tech officers (l to r) Patrick Hart and Rick Winderweedle