Message from the Chief

The Clarkesville Police Department consists of a dedicated group of professional men and women who embrace one goal: To assure that each citizen be afforded the opportunity to safely enjoy life free from criminal activity. In accomplishing this goal, we realize that we can’t do it without the help and support of our community. For this reason, we strive to forge partnerships with our residents, our businesses, our churches, and our schools to help make our Community a safer place to live, work, worship, visit, and play. We are a progressive and professional agency comprised of dedicated men and women who desire to follow the philosophy of Community Policing in an effort to combat criminal behavior in a proficient and proactive manner.

As chief of police, I recognize the value of transparency as it relates to all aspects of local law enforcement. Without complete transparency, our mission of serving and protecting our great community would not be feasible. Our agency continuously monitors policy and procedure in an effort to ensure that public trust is well constructed and constantly maintained throughout the jurisdiction in which we proudly serve. This is why I strive to focus on sound, up-to-date policy and procedure. In order to assure that these policies are transferred into everyday common practice, it is detrimental that all Clarkesville Police Department members receive adequate training and education. Clarkesville Police Department members annually meet or exceed the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) Rule 464-5, which requires all peace officers in the State of Georgia to attend a MINIMUM of two hours Community Policing Training, one hour of Use of Force Training and one hour of De-Escalation Training. In addition, members undergo other training topics such as Implicit Bias Training. The Implicit Bias Training curriculum is instrumental in educating personnel and reminding them to recognize their own biases, and how those biases may affect that individual’s behavior towards others. Along with the aforementioned training programs, every member of our department must successfully complete an additional twenty hour MINIMUM of In Service or Continuing Education Training. This additional training must be provided by, and/or approved by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.

I fully recognize and acknowledge the present national conversation related to policing and police reform. I know that our community members may have questions regarding the policies, practices, and procedures of the Clarkesville Police Department. I feel that it is imperative that citizens know our policies, and, I completely understand the importance of making this information accessible to our community. Any of this information can be obtained by simply placing a phone call to 706-754-5390 or by sending a request by email to bbarrett@clarkesvillega.com

Our members are highly trained and are held to the highest degree of integrity and professionalism. Our compassion shines brightly in our daily patrol work and community involvement. Along with our own staff, we collaborate strongly with surrounding law enforcement agencies as partners to ensure the maximum level of provided law enforcement services to our community.

We participate in a variety of community policing initiatives, such as Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch, A Clarkesville Christmas “Give Back to the Community”, Citizen Firearm Safety, and much more. Please contact our office for further information.

In closing, and as previously mentioned, through policing partnerships with our community, we are committed to keeping the City of Clarkesville a safe and wonderful place to live, work, and visit. You, the community, are our valued customers, and I pledge to give my best effort to providing you with the greatest customer service and care possible, and, in turn, provide you with the most important product you can have: The feeling of safety and security in all that you and your families do here in this wonderful city. I thank you all so much for being the greatest community on earth!

Brad Barrett
Chief of Police