Milton selects new police chief
25-year law enforcement veteran joining Milton Police Department
MILTON, Ga.
- Following a nationwide search, t
he City of Milton has selected George "Rich" Austin, Jr. as its new chief of police. Austin, who is currently serving as the Captain of Internal Affairs with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in N.C., officially joins the Milton Police Department on Jan. 30, 2017.
With more than 25 years experience in law enforcement, Austin has served in a variety of patrol, administrative and leadership positions over the course of his career. From his early days as a patrol officer in the small town of Pineville, N.C., located just outside of Charlotte, to his lengthy and highly decorated tenure with the city of Charlotte, population 809,000, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to building community partnerships, empowering staff and operating with transparency.
"Chief Austin brings a wealth of education and professional experience to the city of Milton and we are excited to have him join us in January," said Mayor Joe Lockwood. "We appreciate the contributions made by outgoing Chief Steven Krokoff over the last two years and look forward his continued leadership as Milton's city manager."
Austin was one of 100 applicants vying for the police chief position. Advertised in early August, the position drew interested applicants from across the U.S.--from the West Coast to the East Coast and a number of states in between. The
five-member interview committee, chaired by City Manager Steven Krokoff, included city management staff, as well as a representative from Milton's Municipal Court and the Milton business community.
"The level of interest in this position is a true testament to the Milton community," said Krokoff. "Chief Austin is an accomplished leader with a well-rounded law enforcement background and we are eager to get him on board."
The Milton Police Department serves more than 37,000 residents with a total staff of 40 sworn officers and four non-sworn members.