In a unanimous decision, the city of Austell has ushered in a significant change to its police department, appointing Shameta Jones-Harrell as the new police chief, marking the first time a female has held this position in Cobb County's history. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Jones-Harrell is stepping in to fill the shoes of her predecessor, Scott Hamilton, after his tenure of two and a half years as chief.
The decision was made at Monday night's Austell City Council meeting, and the Austell Police Department expressed their confidence in their new leader on social media stating, "We are so proud of her and we know that she will do a phenomenal job in this role," highlighting the department's support for the historic appointment, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Fulfilling a role that has traditionally been held by men, Jones-Harrell's appointment shines as a beacon of progress within the local law enforcement community. Coverage from WSB-TV confirmed her new position and her status as a pioneer for women in police leadership roles within the county.
