Henry County Police Department

Department History

The Henry County Police Department of the State of Georgia was formed in 1991 as a response to the explosive growth that catapulted Henry County from a rural neighbor of Atlanta to its current status as one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. Henry County’s initial provider of law enforcement services was the Sheriff’s Department. However, in an effort to respond to the ever increasing needs of its developing community, the Board of Commissioners voted November 20, 1990 to establish the Henry County Police Department. Former Commissioner Jim Joyner, in explaining the reasoning behind the creation of this new police department, stated that “the county has outgrown Sheriff (Donald) Chaffin’s department. We’re no longer a rural community, rather an urban county.” (Bowles, 1991, June 13). Under the Commission’s plan, the new 84-member police department would patrol the unincorporated areas of the county, while the Sheriff’s Department would serve warrants, run the jail, and handle court functions.

In February 1991, the Board of Commissioner voted and hired a Police Chief to head the creation of the Henry County Bureau of Police Services. On July 1, 1991, the Henry County Bureau of Police Services began operations and provided services to the community. The department began with 58 officers and 26 civilians to serve a population of 58,000 and has gradually expanded to its current complement of 249 officers and 37 civilians to serve a population in excess of 197,247.

Due to Henry County's location immediately south of Atlanta and astride Interstate 75, the Police Department deals with a wide range of public safety issues prevalent in both urban and rural areas. Accordingly, the police department provides all traditional police services and has specialty assignments including tactical response, selective traffic enforcement, bicycle patrol, highway interdiction, drug investigation and other special investigations units.

The Henry County Police Department is headed by Chief of Police, Keith Nichols.

Office of the Chief: History