By Milton Kirby | Austell, GA | June 6, 2025

In a historic and unanimous decision, the Austell City Council has appointed Shameta Jones-Harrell as the city’s new police chief — making her the first woman, and the first Black woman, to lead any police department in Cobb County’s history.

The vote, which passed 6-0 during a Monday night council meeting, was met with celebration from residents and law enforcement officials alike. As Chief Jones-Harrell stood to take her oath Tuesday evening, the weight of the moment was not lost on the crowd gathered to witness a barrier-breaking chapter in the city’s leadership.

“We are so proud of her and we know that she will do a phenomenal job in this role,” read a statement from the Austell Police Department, shared on social media shortly after the vote.

A Trailblazing Career Built on Service

Jones-Harrell, a Huntsville, Alabama native and Lee High School graduate brings 24 years of law enforcement experience to her new role. Her career began in October 2000 at the College Park Police Department, where she worked as a detective handling sensitive cases such as sex crimes, domestic violence, and crimes against children. She also served on the SWAT team — a rare post for a woman at the time — underscoring her ability to succeed in high-pressure, male-dominated environments.

She later joined the Brookhaven Police Department, where her rise from sergeant to major marked her as a standout leader. There, she led the Support Services Division and developed several community-based initiatives, including the “One Congregation One Precinct” program, which built stronger relationships between officers and local faith communities. She also served as a liaison to the Police Accountability & Legitimacy Committee under the city’s Social Justice, Race, and Equity Commission.

In 2021, she joined the Austell Police Department as deputy chief. Since then, she has been instrumental in overhauling community engagement, leading more than 60 outreach events, and introducing patrol strategies that have been credited with lowering violent crime rates. Her leadership has emphasized proactive policing, transparency, and inclusion.

“One of the reasons why I decided to join law enforcement is so I can make sure I could progress other women through the ranks,”. That mission now takes center stage, as one of her top priorities is increasing the representation of women on the force.

Vision for Austell’s Police Department

Chief Jones-Harrell outlined three key goals for her tenure: securing state accreditation, increasing female representation, and strengthening community connections. “We are almost at the end of that goal,” she said, referring to the department’s progress toward official state certification — a benchmark of professionalism and accountability in policing.

She emphasized that public trust must be earned and maintained through ongoing engagement and transparency. “Community engagement is not an event,” she told reporters. “It’s a lifestyle.”

The department’s mission reflects this ethos: to establish trust through collaboration, transparency, and education while delivering equitable services to all residents.

The department’s Community Liaison Coordinator plays a key role in achieving these goals, facilitating partnerships with homeowner associations, faith organizations, schools, and advocacy groups. These relationships help tailor the department’s response strategies and crime prevention efforts to the specific needs of Austell’s neighborhoods.

A Leader Rooted in Faith, Family, and Forward Motion

Jones-Harrell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensic Science from Jacksonville State University. She has undergone advanced leadership and crisis management training, including the Law Enforcement Executive Development program and Critical Incident Stress Management courses. She is a member of both the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Though her resume is extensive, Jones-Harrell draws her deepest strength from her faith and family. A photo of her late mother sits near her desk; its inscription reads, “Inside me is a weak heart, but behind me is a strong God.”

“I am a mother of two boys, and I want them to see that leadership is about service, not status,” she said. “I want our department to reflect that too — that we are here to protect and uplift the people we serve.”

Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges

With her appointment, the City of Austell has not only made history, but it has also sent a message of progress and inclusion throughout Cobb County and the state of Georgia. For a city that prides itself on unity and resilience, Jones-Harrell’s elevation symbolizes the future of policing: rooted in service, driven by justice, and led by voices that have long been underrepresented.

She now stands at the helm of a department charged with safeguarding a rapidly growing and diversifying city. But more than that, she stands as a beacon for what’s possible when leadership reflects the community it serves.

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