Veteran officer, Jerry Saulters, named new Athens-Clarke Police Chief

Jerry Saulters, a 25-year-veteran of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, was promoted to police chief Friday assuming command over a department of 330 employees.

Saulters has been the interim police chief since March following the retirement of former chief Cleveland Spruill, who was hired in 2019.

Athens-Clarke Manager Blaine Williams announced the promotion, noting that in making his decision he considered input from numerous current and past police officers.

There were about 20 applications for the job.

In the spring, Williams said a survey was created asking residents in Athens questions such as what characteristics do you want for your next police chief.

Former chief retired: Athens-Clarke Police Chief Cleveland Spruill announces he will retire in March

Saulters was interim chief: Jerry Saulters named interim Athens-Clarke police chief; public input sought on search

“We asked some open-ended questions and we had a good responses. I did the same thing with an internal survey at the police department and got their thoughts as well,” he said about the approximately 600 submissions he received in the surveys.

“Jerry Saulters has the heart of a servant and guardian, and he is a terrific human being,” Williams said.

Saulters, who joined the department in 1998 following a stint in the U.S. Army, released a statement saying he was “humbled by this opportunity” to the lead the department.

“Working alongside our outstanding men and women and serving the Athens-Clarke County community for the last 24 years has been an honor and a privilege,” Saulters said.

Saulters has a long history with the department, serving in numerous roles starting as a patrol officer and later becoming a shift commander, supervisor of the robbery/homicide unit and supervisor over the criminal investigations division. He was appointed a deputy chief in 2019 in administration.

Saulters is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville and Columbus State University. In 2012 he was the Sherm Applebaum Officer of the Year.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Jerry Saulters named chief of Athens-Clarke County Police Department