20th Anniversary Celebrated For Cherokee School Police

CANTON, GA -- The Cherokee County School Board is celebrating the School Police Department for its 20 years of exemplary service.

Led since its establishment by Chief Mark Kissel, who has announced he will retire at the end of this school year, the department consists of 20 police officers certified by the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council, an Emergency Management Facilitator and office staff.

Since 2006, the department has been recognized as a “Certified Agency” under the Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program having demonstrated its commitment to law enforcement excellence by meeting or exceeding all applicable standards. This distinction is currently held by only five school district police departments in the state.

“We’re so proud of our Police Department and Chief Kissel and his officers and staff for this milestone, but also for important work they do each day,” Superintendent Brian Hightower said in a release. “Our schools, students, staff and entire community are safer because of their dedication, focus on continuous improvement, and how deeply they care for all of us.”

Kissel and his officers and staff received special badges and recognition for this accomplishment at the school board's March meeting.

The department is charged with the responsibility of supporting and facilitating the educational process in order to meet CCSD's Major System Priority of providing a safe and secure environment for teaching and learning. Its many responsibilities include assigning certified police officers to each School Innovation Zone; providing proactive planning and training for school-based staff; providing parent/community safety education programs; facilitating background checks on employees and volunteers; and conducting criminal and administrative investigations.

Department members include:

• Chief Mark Kissel
• Lt. Ken Locke
• Sgt. James Morris
• Sgt. Richie Rich
• Cpl. Katrina Adams
• Cpl. Beth Buffkin
• Cpl. Joseph Cordero
• Cpl. John Edgar
• Cpl. Elizabeth Endicott
• Cpl. Beth Jeffreys
• Cpl. Chris Mendel
• Investigator Andy Farmer
• Officer 1st Class Brian Stevenson
• Officer 1st Class Scott King
• Officer 1st Class German Rivas
• Officer Jay Burns
• Officer Michael Hunt
• Officer Michael Dames
• Officer John Farkas
• Tracy Bearden, Secretary to the Chief
• Mary Wells, Terminal Agency Coordinator
• Danielle Ross, Emergency Mgmt. Facilitator
• Bob Williams, Emergency Communications Facilitator