'A Diamond in the Rough': New Era Begins at Canton Police Department

Law enforcement officers from Canton, Cherokee County and nearby cities on Monday joined residents and public servants of the county seat to witness a transition in leadership within the Canton Police Department.

Dozens of people gathered on the third floor of Canton City Hall for the swearing in of Mark Mitchell as the city’s newest police chief. Canton Municipal Court Judge Tom Roach administered the oath of office while Mitchell’s father James Mitchell held the Bible for the new chief.

Residents also had a chance to say their goodbyes to Robert Merchant, who in October announced plans to retire at the end of the month.

The ceremony was attended by public safety representatives from the Holly Springs Police Department, Woodstock Police Department, the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, the Milton Police Department and Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

Merchant referred to Mitchell’s swearing as “a big day for our department, for Mark and our community,” adding he can remember when he was sworn in as police chief in Canton as well as Altamonte Springs, Florida, the municipality where he previously served before coming to Cherokee County in May 2012.

Merchant arrived to Canton six months after the department and city were rocked by the December 2011 kidnapping and murder of seven-year-old Jorelys Rivera.

Ryan Brunn was arrested and charged with the crime. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life without parole. However, Brunn took his own life just two days after accepting the plea deal in the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification State Prison in Jackson.

A report compiled by Chief Lou Dekmar of the LaGrange Police Department criticized Canton police’s response in the hours and days of the crime, which occurred at the River Ridge at Canton apartment complex. The fallout led to the resignation of former Chief Jeff Lance.

During his tenure, Merchant noted serving as chief “truly has been a very rewarding and sometimes challenging experience.” He also thanked the elected officials and city leadership for allowing the department’s budget to increase.

On his first day on the job, Merchant recalled he popped the trunk of a patrol vehicle, and discovered the car did not even have a First Aid kit. Fast forward two years later, the outgoing chief said he believes the department is in a better position now than it was when he first came aboard.

“As a result, I think we are more professional, we’re better trained (and) we’re better equipped,” he said.

When someone speaks of his name in the future, Merchant said he hopes he’s remembered as a leader who “came here and he truly made a difference.”

Incoming chief Mitchell is not only very capable to serve the city well as police chief, but Merchant added he believes the agency will continue to benefit from his leadership. Merchant hired Mitchell in July 2013 to serve as the city’s assistant police chief.

“I really felt very blessed that I got what I refer to as a ‘diamond in the rough’,” Merchant added. “There’s not many Mark Mitchells out there.”

When he was appointed to the post as city manager, Glen Cummins noted he inherited an “excellent” police chief, and wishes Merchant well in his retirement. Cummins stated having the right people in their respective roles make his job “extremely easy,” and believes Mitchell will excel in the new position.

Mitchell said he was humbled and honored to serve as the city’s next police chief. He told the audience, which included people he served with while working for the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, that they had an impact on his life and served as mentors.

It didn’t hit him until Sunday that Monday was the 22nd anniversary of him taking his first ride in a patrol vehicle in Newton County, he added.

When he first started in law enforcement, Mitchell said his goal was to either become a police chief or sheriff.

“I talked about it all the time, and I’ve been blessed that I have been able to attain that goal,” he said. “In attaining that goal, I promise to not let anyone here down. I’m going to make mistakes, but I’m going to do the right thing. We are going to do the right thing.”

Mitchell began his career in law enforcement with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. In 1996, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant where he supervised deputies in the Uniform Patrol Division, D.A.R.E, courthouse security and criminal investigations. Mitchell was promoted to lieutenant over the patrol unit in 2005 and to the rank of first lieutenant executive officer as the assistant Uniform Division commander.

In 2011, Mark was named commander of the Criminal Investigation Division, the unit he led until he was promoted to the rank of captain in 2012.

During his tenure with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Mark Mitchell also served 16 years as the agency’s public information officer and was a member of the Newton County S.W.A.T. team.

Mitchell obtained his master’s degree in criminal justice from Troy University and graduated from the 207th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Mitchell, 43, and wife Mandy reside in Canton and he is the father of four children. Mitchell commended the man who hired him to serve as Canton’s assistant police chief.

“I did not know it would be this quick,” he jokingly said of Merchant’s decision to retire and Mitchell’s appointment to serve as police chief. “I’ve learned a lot from you in last year and a half and speaking of mentors, you’re right there at the top.”

Mitchell reiterated that he was ready to continue working with the men and women of the Canton Police Department, his fellow city of Canton employees and serving city residents and stakeholders.

The police department, like others across the country, are facing some “trying times,” and Mitchell stated it’s important now more than ever for the agency to remain transparent, continue to build trust with residents, serve and protect without any bias and to stick with its core values.

Additionally, it will also continue to push career development and training, and implement programs to retain current and attract new officers.

“It’s a privilege and it’s an honor to be selected as the next chief,” he said. “I look forward to continue to build a professional organization that our citizens can trust (and) be proud of. They know we’re working hard everyday to improve the quality of life.”

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Photo credit: Canton Police Department