New Holly Springs Police Chief Sworn Into Office

HOLLY SPRINGS, GA -- A new face is now at the helm of the Holly Springs Police Department.

Mike Carswell, who previously served as the agency's second in command, was sworn in as chief of police Monday evening during the City Council meeting.

Council members unanimously approved naming Carswell to the post before he was given the oath of office by Mayor Tim Downing.

Carswell was joined by his family, former Chief Ken Ball, Deputy Chief Tommy Keheley, officers of the agency and other law enforcements officials from the region.

The ceremony included his wife, Gwen, pinning on his new badge and daughters, Kali and Kati, placing his new rank insignia on his uniform.

Carswell began his career in public safety in 1983. Twenty-five of those years have included supervisory, managerial, command staff and executive responsibilities. Carswell has worked with the cities of Smyrna and Marietta, where he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

Before coming to Holly Springs, Carswell was employed with the Pickens County Sheriff's Office where he rose through the ranks and most recently served as captain.

Carswell was sworn in as Holly Springs' deputy chief in January 2014. During his years in public safety, Carswell has managed and supervised SWAT and Critical Response teams, the Marietta-Smyrna Narcotics/COBRA Unit, as well as field and training units.

Carswell is also a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College and he holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Shorter University.

He has earned a litany of Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) certifications, and has over 3,300 hours of additional P.O.S.T. training. He is also a graduate of the Public Safety Physical Fitness Specialist Course from the Cooper Institute in Dallas.

Photo: Mayor Tim Downing, left, reads the oath of office to Michael Carswell, as his wife and family look on. Credit: Holly Springs Police Department