Canton Police Name New Deputy Chief

CANTON, GA — Canton Police Chief Stephen Merrifield announced the promotion of Wendell Turner to the position of deputy chief. Turner previously held the position of captain over the support bureau and has been with the department for the past four years.

"I am extremely fortunate to have Deputy Chief Turner assist me in managing this great department," Merrifield said. "I look forward to working with him to keep the Canton Police Department moving forward and providing professional and exemplary police services to our citizens."

Turner, a 27-year law enforcement veteran, began his career with the Statesboro Police Department in 1993 as a uniformed patrol officer. He was quickly promoted through the ranks attaining positions in the patrol bureau as an advanced patrol officer, investigative bureau as detective, professional standards and training division commander as lieutenant, support services division commander as lieutenant and later captain, and patrol bureau commander as captain.

Turner also progressed in a tactical capacity as an Emergency Response Team member, team leader, and team commander. In 2010, he was appointed by the Statesboro city manager to the newly created position of director of Public Safety. The position is the department head for the Police and Fire Departments and his overall responsibilities included the administration, operations, personnel management, fiscal preparations and responsibilities of each department.

Turner holds several Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council Certifications to include:

• Basic LE Certification
• Senior Training Instructor Certification
• Managerial Certification
• Executive Certification

He has been an adjunct instructor for Ogeechee Technical College and the Southeast Georgia Regional Police Academy. He has also taught upper-level justice studies classes at Georgia Southern University as a part-time faculty member.

Turner has over 3,400 hours of advanced law enforcement training to his credit and also holds several current and past professional memberships and board appointments.

In addition, Turner has been recognized for several professional achievements throughout his career to include: departmental accommodations, several departmental Top Gun Awards, Supervisor of the Year, FBINA Fitness Excellence Award and a FBI Appreciation Certificate awarded by former FBI Director Mueller.

Furthermore, he considers himself fortunate having graduated the 213th Session of the FBI National Academy Program in Quantico, Virginia, the 23rd Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Command College and the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Professional Management Program. He obtained his BS degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia Southern University in 2004 and his MPA degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University in 2006.