Stockbridge has tapped Orrin S. Hamilton as its first Black police chief, city leaders announced Friday, handing the department to a metro Atlanta veteran who has logged more than 30 years in law enforcement. Hamilton most recently led the Austell Police Department after a long run with the Cobb County Police Department.
Veteran Metro Atlanta Cop Takes the Helm
According to WSB-TV, Hamilton brings more than three decades of public safety experience, including 27 years with Cobb County Police. Over that stretch, he worked his way through every rank from patrol officer to deputy chief and was repeatedly tapped to serve as interim chief for agencies around metro Atlanta.
Guiding Austell Toward State Certification
FOX5 Atlanta reports that Hamilton was sworn in as Austell's chief in 2022 and announced his resignation in February 2025, wrapping up roughly two and a half years in the job. One of the accomplishments he highlighted there was steering the department toward its first state certification while putting a heavy emphasis on community engagement.
Training Boosts, Tech Upgrades and Officer Support
Per WSB-TV, Hamilton oversaw a 59% jump in department-wide training during his first year in Austell and pushed upgrades to digital systems, in-car cameras and body-worn cameras. The outlet also credits him with merging Austell's 911 center with Cobb County, creating an Austell Police Foundation, launching a chaplain program and building a peer-support team for officers. His resume also lists command roles over the DUI task force, K-9, crisis negotiation, criminal investigations and special operations units.
What Stockbridge Will Be Watching
Stockbridge has not yet released a public onboarding timeline for Hamilton. Given his track record, early priorities are expected to include training, technology improvements and coordination with neighboring agencies. Residents and council members will be watching for his first public safety plan and a schedule of community outreach events in the weeks ahead.
