Jesse Evans

ACWORTH

POLICE DEPARTMENT

A Tribute to a Visionary Leader

BY JESSE EVANS

As a law enforcement professional for well over 20 years, I have been intimately familiar with the Acworth Police Department (APD) through my work as a prosecutor. I have seen firsthand the department grow and develop under the leadership of Chief Wayne Dennard over the past decade. Chief Dennard is not one to boast; his accomplishments speak for themselves and are a testament to his outstanding leadership. He is humble and has the grace of a truly exceptional leader. He views his accomplishments as the result of great teamwork, and he is right. The greatest teams have great leaders, and he’s shown what great team leaders can accomplish.

The massive strides made by the Acworth Police Department in the past decade are due to Chief Dennard’s investment in each individual on the team. He looked closely at their talents and abilities and placed them where they could best succeed and make the most impact. That drive to put the right people in the right places was a catalyst for building a strong and capable branch of the city team. As a result of strong communication, transparency and a shared desire to provide the highest quality of service to the community, Chief Dennard and his team have developed an award-winning, state-certified, highly trained and well-respected public safety agency. Acworth has been recognized as the safest city in the state, and Chief Dennard and his department led the way.

Under Chief Dennard’s leadership, the Acworth Police Department has become a model of the best practices in community policing. The entire team has embraced the motto, “Spend time and do the right thing.” These words are displayed prominently on the walls of the department and are the guiding principles for the entire staff. Spending time might seem like a simple idea, but our community is a better place because of the time and commitment the department has invested in the community. I have experienced the benefit of being treated with kindness, compassion, respect and patience by APD, both as a private citizen and as a prosecutor. In short, Chief Dennard has built an incomparable team and a timeless legacy.

Because of Chief Dennard’s visionary leadership, I hope my transition from prosecution to chief of police will be seamless. I’d like to thank the APD officers and staff for welcoming me with open arms. This is an exciting time for all of us. Together, we will do amazing things. I am grateful and incredibly excited for the opportunity to build upon Chief Dennard’s legacy and to help ensure the continued success of the department he has led and loved with such dedication.

I have lived in the Acworth area most of my life. I grew up here and graduated from North Cobb High School, and my wife and I chose to raise our kids in this community, knowing it is perhaps the best place in the state to live, work and play. Simply put, we love Acworth, and there is no place like it. So, when I was asked to serve as chief of police upon Chief Dennard’s retirement, I knew it was exactly where I needed to be — home.

Chief Dennard built an incomparable team.

Chief Jesse Evans has served more than 20 years as a prosecutor and law enforcement professional. He is a native of Acworth and knows there is no better place to live, work and play.