Office of the Chief

Keith Nichols

Keith Nichols was appointed to Chief of Police July 6, 2010.  Chief Nichols joined the force as a patrol officer when the Department was first formed in 1991.  He rose through the ranks as a detective and as a Sergeant over Criminal Investigations as well as Narcotics.  He also worked as Lieutenant over the Special Operations Division and the SWAT Team and was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1999.  From 1999 until 2004, he served as the Division Commander in several divisions, including Support Services, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, and the Uniform Patrol Division.  He served as Deputy Police Chief from 2004 until being named Interim Chief in February.  Before joining the Henry County Police Department, he worked as a patrolman for the Riverdale Police Department.

Chief Nichols earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Georgia Southern University and is a 2006 graduate of the FBI National Academy Class 227.  He also received his Command College Certificate from Columbus State University.  The Command College program is hosted by Columbus State University in partnership with the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.  It goes beyond what is currently available in law enforcement executive and management development courses, serving as a “graduate school” for law enforcement executives.  Nichols also received his Masters Degree in Public Administration as a result of completing this program.

“I have many plans for the department that I am excited to get underway.  We are looking at getting the Stockbridge precinct up and running.  We hope to get in the new building, which is the old City Hall, when they get the courts moved out.  I am also working closely with State Court Solicitor Chuck Spahos and Chairman Mathis to get an officer lounge in State Court where officers can go and work on their cases in a quite area away from the public.  Hopefully that will be coming down the pike very soon.”