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New
police chief named
The Athens City Council
voted unanimously
tonight to name Floyd
Johnson the new police
chief. The appointment
is effective
immediately.
“I cannot think of a
better qualified
individual than Floyd
Johnson,” Councilwoman
Milly Caudle said.
 Councilwoman
Mignon Bowers and
Council President Jimmy
Gill commented on the
number officers and
staff in attendance to
support Johnson. The
group gave Johnson a
standing ovation after
the vote.
“I am so proud to see us
promote one of our own,”
Councilman Harold Wales
added.
Councilman Jim Hickman
noted how Johnson’s
fellow officers and the
community hold him in
high respect.
Johnson, 50, has been
serving as interim chief
since Jan. 1 when former
Chief Wayne Harper
retired. Johnson is the
only candidate the
council interviewed.
“I am very proud to have
this opportunity and to
be a member of the
Athens Police
Department,” Johnson
said. “I look forward to
working in this new role
with the men and women
of our department. I
appreciate the
confidence the mayor and
council have placed in
me to lead the Police
Department.”
Among the programs
Johnson wants to
implement include a gun
safety/training class,
Citizens Police Academy,
K-9 program, bicycle
patrol and a chaplain
program. Johnson said he
also wants the
department involved with
Special Olympics and to
have an
inter-departmental
training program.
In addition, Johnson
wants to improve
recruitment and
establish better methods
of communication with
the community.
“The safety of our
citizens is paramount to
the mayor, council and
me,” Johnson said. “It
is our goal to work to
the best of our ability
to ensure our city is a
safe place to live. I
look forward to working
in the community we call
home to help find
solutions to the
challenges that face
us.”
Chief Floyd Johnson is
50 years old. He and his
wife Suzanne have two
children, Callie and
Caleb. Chief Johnson
began working with the
Athens Police Department
as a dispatcher in
August 1982. He became a
police officer in
October 1982 and a
detective three years
later. He was promoted
to sergeant in 1986,
then lieutenant in 1998
and captain in 2009. As
captain he oversaw the
investigative division
and served as public
information officer.
Sworn full-time
officers: 47
Total employees
(includes officers): 58
full-time
Part time employees: 6
Reserves: 20 slots
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