Hiram Appoints VandeZande as New Police Chief

Brookhaven Mayor J. Max Davis announced Gary Yandura Tuesday as the Brookhaven’s first police chief. While Chief Yandura will be missed and the City hates to see him go, Hiram wasted no time searching, selecting and appointing his successor, according to a news release from the City of Hiram.

Todd VandeZande, a 23-year veteran law enforcement officer, started his law enforcement career in the City of Woodstock where he fell in love with being a public servant. Since that time, he has served in other metro Atlanta agencies such as the Marietta Police Department and, most recently, the City of Canton where he rose to the rank of Assistant Police Chief. While in Canton, he had oversight of 47 officers and a $3.2M annual budget.

VandeZande possess advanced law enforcement certifications by the Georgia Police Officers Standards and Training Council and is a graduate of the University of Louisville, Southern Police Institute and Columbus State University, Professional Management Program. He has a master’s in public administration and a B.S. in Political Science, magna cum laude, both from Kennesaw State University.

City Manager Robbie Rokovitz selected VandeZande because of his proven leadership and professional credentials. The Hiram charter specifies that the city manager has authority to appoint the police chief upon approval by the City Council.

“He impressed us with his enthusiasm and devotion to his profession and was able to clearly articulate how he could meet our law enforcement needs today and into the future,” Mayor Devey said. “He recognizes the visibility of the police department and how critical leadership in that area is paramount to community acceptance and involvement,” Mayor Devey continued.

“I am excited to have Chief VandeZande join our team,” Rokovitz said. “While I received a lot of interest from internal and external candidates, VandeZande has the precise combination as an academic and practitioner to serve as the chief law enforcement official of our municipal agency,” Rokovitz continued.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Hiram and will do so in a professional, responsive, and above all else - ethical manner,” VandeZande commented. VandeZande continued by saying, “The men and women of the Hiram Police Department will continue to nurture the communal bonds strengthened during Chief Yandura’s tenure, and  I look forward to meeting our citizens and serving the community for many years to come.”

VandeZande is married to Christie Vande Zande with six daughters.  Twenty-three years of law enforcement experience most recently as the assistant chief of police with the City of Canton Georgia.

VandeZande’s first day is April 15.

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