Courtney Gale to be next Police Chief in Watkinsville

Courtney Gale is going to be the next Chief of Police in Watkinsville. Gale was a police officer in Athens when she was stabbed and nearly killed in 2007. After extensive rehab and recovery, she returned to police work with the Athens-Clarke and UGA police departments. She became police chief in Thomson two years ago. Gale will replace interim Watkinsville Police Chief Todd Tetterton, who has held the job since Chief Shannon Brock went on medical leave this past May. 

From the City of Watkinsville…

The City of Watkinsville today announced that Courtney Gale will be its next police chief. Gale, a 25-year police veteran who most recently served as police chief of Thomson, replaces Interim Chief Todd Tetterton, who has served since Chief Shannon Brock went on medical leave on May 8.

“I am pleased to welcome Chief Gale to our team. Her extensive experience and understanding in not only police management, but also community engagement will serve the city well and help continue to build upon former Chief Brock’s work,” said City Manager Sharyn Dickerson.

Gale has served as a uniformed officer with increasing responsibilities since 1998, first as an officer for Athens Clarke Police Department (1998-2017), then for the University of Georgia Police Department from 2017-2021, and finally serving as chief in Thomson starting in July of 2021.

She brings a wide variety of law enforcement experience, including roles as an investigator and overseeing downtown Athens operations for two years for ACCPD. She then served as a lieutenant at the UGA police department where she was shift commander for patrol operations over 16 officers, including work as a team leader for UGA football events, creation of the UGAPD Peer Support Team and as co-commander for the UGAPD Crisis Negotiation Team.

Her experience culminated in Thomson where she oversaw 18 uniformed officers and two civilian roles. In Thomson, Chief Gale led a police department that served a population of 6,900 and facilitated a variety of community events and policing strategies, including parades, festivals, Christmas events, community mentoring, and more. She also revised and updated all department policies to ensure agency compliance with federal, state, and local laws. Her duties also included securing grants, fleet management and acquisition, vetting and employing new hires, and overall leadership for the department.

“We are grateful to Interim Chief Tetterton for his hard work since May to continue to advance our Watkinsville Police Department, ensuring our day-to-day operations and events like the Fall Festival were well executed,” said Mayor Brian Brodrick. “The council and I look forward to welcoming Chief Gale to Watkinsville and working with her to continue to ensure our residents, visitors, and businesses are able to thrive in a safe community.”

Gale will begin serving on January 8, pending the successful completion of required employment terms. Tetterton is expected to continue to lead the department until that date.

Gale has both a Bachelor of Science degree and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Georgia and resides in Oconee County.

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