THOMASVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT NAMES GATLIN OFFICER OF THE YEAR

The Thomasville Police Department named Jamil Gatlin as its 2019 Outstanding Employee of the Year. During 2019, Gatlin received two Officer of the Month nominations for his compassion and dedication throughout the Thomasville Community. “It is with great pride that we name Officer Gatlin as the 2019 Thomasville Police Department Outstanding Employee of the Year,” said Thomasville Police Chief Troy Rich. “Since joining the force in 2017, Officer Gatlin has proven to be a caring,...



TPD’s SWAT TEAM BACK AT FULL STRENGTH

The Thomasville Police Department’s SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) Team is up to full strength after concluding a tryout for new members earlier this month. Chief Troy Rich has announced the addition of six offers to TPD’s SWAT Team, effective immediately. “We are pleased to announce the selection of Officers Melvin Ray, Devin Tudor, Detective Adam Lawson, Sergeant Jason Baldwin and School Resource Officer Jamica Thomas as the newest members of our SWAT Team,” said Thomasville...



OVERALL CRIME IS DOWN IN THOMASVILLE FOR 5TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

The Thomasville Police Department has released the 2019 crimes stats and total crime is down 13% for the year. The downward turn in total crime continues an overall reduction in crime that has continued since 2015. According to Chief Rich, the crime statistics that are reported actually track two different categories of crime. “There are two type of crimes reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for statistical purposes, which are known as Part 1 crimes, or violent crimes and...



OFFICER HALEY JENSEN BECOMES FIRST FEMALE K-9 OFFICER WITH TPD

The Thomasville Police Department recently made history by announcing their first female K-9 officer, Officer Haley Jensen. Officer Jensen joined Thomasville Police Department in December 2017. She completed K-9 handler training in October 2019. “When I joined TPD, becoming a K-9 handler was my dream job,” Officer Jensen stated, “Being able to make my dream come true while serving and protecting my community is a great feeling.” The dream didn’t come easily, though, she said....



TPD ACHIEVES ADVANCED LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCREDITATION THROUGH CALEA

In November of 2019, Thomasville Police Chief Troy Rich and Accreditation Manager Lieutenant Kathy Baillargeon traveled to Covington, Kentucky where on behalf of the Thomasville Police Department, they received the department’s 10th Commission for Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) re-accreditation award. The Thomasville Police Department was awarded re-accreditation at the Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation level. Law enforcement agencies earning CALEA Accreditation...



THOMASVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT HOLDS POSITIVE POLICE ENCOUNTERS PRESENTATIONS FOR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS

Thomasville Police Department will be going back to the classroom next month in an effort to build relationships with some of Thomasville’s young citizens. Thomasville Police Chief Troy Rich says this is due, in part, to the 21st Century Policing Initiative. “As part of the 21st Century Policing Initiative in building trust and legitimacy with our community, this Initiative was developed to enhance our relationships with our young adults,” Chief Rich stated. Officers will be...



TPD ANNOUNCES SCHOOL ZONE SAFETY PROGRAM

The Thomasville Police Department has announced a new initiative that is targeted at making school zones safer for our community’s youngest citizens. TPD’s School Zone Safety Program, a comprehensive program aimed at protecting students in school zones and making schools safer, was announced today by Chief Troy Rich. Chief Rich said this cutting-edge program will automatically enforce existing school zone speed limits. “Our number one goal with this program is to reduce...



TPD ISSUES REMINDER REGARDING RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR GOLF CART USAGE WITHIN THE CITY

Warmer weather and the end of the school year means more and more Thomasville citizens are enjoying more time outside, many by using golf carts or other related vehicles. Whether you are using a golf cart to ride around your neighborhood or using it for convenience to travel to community events, the Thomasville Police Department reminds citizens that these types of slow-moving vehicles are regulated by the State of Georgia and, as such, operators should be sure they are following the rules...



PUBLIC NOTICE - THOMASVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT SEEKING REACCREDITATION

The Thomasville Police Department is currently seeking reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. A team of assessors will inspect the department June 23 through June 26, 2019. A public hearing will be held Monday June 24th at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at the Justice Center located at 921 Smith Ave. The purpose of the hearing is to allow Thomasville citizens an opportunity to address the assessment team with comments or recommendations about the...



“OPERATION SAFE DRIVER” Hands Free – Distracted Driving Awareness and Enforcement Campaign

Next Monday, the Thomasville Police Department will kick off their Operation Safe Driver initiative aimed at reducing instances of distracted driving. During the week of May 20th through Memorial Day, May 27th, TPD will be conducting a hands free-distracted driving operation to bring awareness to the serious consequences of violating Georgia’s “hands free” distracted driving law. “On July 1, 2018, Georgia Legislation passed a ‘hands free’ driving law that prohibits drivers of...



TPD NAMES SWAT COMMANDER

The City of Thomasville received notice on Friday, April 5, 2019, from Sheriff Carlton Powell that the Thomas County Sheriff’s deputies will no longer participate in the joint SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) unit between the Thomasville Police Department and the Thomas County Sheriff’s Department. “We received notification on Friday that the Sheriff plans to pull Thomas County Sheriff’s deputies out of a joint SWAT unit between the Sheriff’s Department and Thomasville Police...



THOMASVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFF COMPLETE TRAINING

Members of the Thomasville Police Department staff recently graduated from Basic Mandate Training in Tifton, Georgia. Basic Mandate Training is an 11-week program for post certified peace officers, and is required in the state of Georgia. Recent graduates include Property & Evidence Coordinator Justin Kuhns as well as Police Officers Brandon Burden, Melvin Stultz, and Donald Such. Kuhns was presented with the class flag and served as the class president. He was also second in the class...