Sandy Springs Police Mark 10 Years of Protecting Community

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- The Sandy Springs Police Department recently reached a milestone in its mission to serving and protecting residents and stakeholders in the city.

The agency on July 1 marked 10 years of formally assuming patrolling the streets of the formerly unincorporated area of Fulton County that now belong to Sandy Springs.

"It is hard to believe that the police department has been in existence for a decade now," said Police Chief Ken DeSimone. "The men and women of the SSPD work 24/7/365 to protect the citizens of Sandy Springs and those who pass through here. It speaks highly of the caliber of individuals and their commitment to the city that such a large percentage of those officers who started SSPD in July 2006 remain with the department today. In today’s climate it takes a mentally tough person to dedicate themselves to the law enforcement profession, and I could not be more proud and honored to serve with these professionals of SSPD."

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Sandy Springs police have had a slew of dedicated men and women who've remained with the agency since the first day of operations. Those public servants are: Deputy Chief Keith Zgonc, Major Bo Eskew, Major Craig Chandler, Executive Director David Bertrand, GCIC TAC Claudette Black; Captains Steve Rose, James Fraker, Bart Humble, Benjie Cain, Rob Stevens, John Mullin, Mike Lindstrom and Danny Nable; Sergeants Sergeants David Roskind, Glenn Kalish, Scott Levy, Shane Barkley, Brenda Plympton, Scott Laughman, Hyon Yi, Forrest Bohannon, Chip Bohannon, Ryan Finley, Mark Johnson, David Lapides, Andrew Rausch, Sam Worsham, Jamie McNabb and Paul Pietruszka; and officers Cory Begeal, Tiffanye Davis, Mike Dewald, Scott Ellis, Robert Gladkowski, Jeff Inman, Larry Jacobs,, Forrest Miller, Jason Pearson, Jonathan Williams, Jeff Byrd, Pat Graham, Sean Hanse, John Head, Matt McGinnis, Sandy Rose, David Romero, Keith Smith, Amanda Stein, Nick Smith and JT Williams.

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Mayor Rusty Paul, who noted how "unbelievably difficult" the last few weeks have been for law enforcement officers in the city, added the respect, appreciation and support Sandy Springs residents have for the men and women who make up the police department can not be doubted.

"Ten years ago, when the Sandy Springs Police Force drove into the city to take their post in protecting our community, it was an emotional and joyous occasion," he said. "It is gratifying to see so many of those original faces still a part of the Sandy Springs Police Force today. On behalf of the entire city, I want to recognize this 10-year milestone and thank all of our law enforcement officers for your service, your dedication and for continuing to protect our community."

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Image via Sandy Springs Police Department