Bartow School Board Appoints New Police Chief

CARTERSVILLE, GA — The Bartow County School Board has formally tapped Randall Burch to serve as the school system's police chief. Burch was serving as interim chief since October following the resignation of Dan Knowles, who allegedly made inconsistent statements to police about an accident involving a motorist.

Burch said he was "pleased" Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Harper and the school board had confidence "in my ability to lead the agency."

"I look forward to continuing my work as a school system police officer, although in a different capacity," he added.

Burch, 60, has more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, beginning his career as a jail officer at the Floyd County Detention Center. He's also worked as a patrol officer, assignments in a drug task force and special investigation units, served as patrol shift supervisor and an investigator with an area District Attorney's Office. He began his school police career in 2000 and joined the Bartow County School System in 2005.

Burch and his wife have two daughters, one of which is a teacher in the Bartow County School System. His other daughter is a 9-1-1 dispatcher and is working towards earning her criminal justice degree.

Image via Bartow County Schools