Calling himself “deeply honored and humbled,” Milton’s newly appointed Police Chief Jason Griffin on Friday expressed his “unwavering commitment” to safeguard and serve “this special city” alongside the “dedicated professionals” in his department.

“I look forward to the journey ahead,” said Griffin, who is the first Police Chief in Milton’s history to be promoted to that role from within. “Thank you for this opportunity.”

Griffin’s remarks came at a City Hall ceremony that also celebrated other promoted officers and seven new Milton Police Department members. Reflecting on Milton Police’s evolution from a fledgling department to a regional leader, Mayor Peyton Jamison praised Griffin as a great fit to spearhead this agency given his work ethic, personable demeanor, and “lead-from-the-front” style.

People filled Council Chambers for Friday’s event, many of standing along the side and back walls. The crowd included dignitaries like Mayor Jamison, Judge Brian Hansford, and Councilmembers Jan Jacobus, Rick Mohrig, and Paul Moore; members of the area’s law enforcement community including Johns Creek Police Chief Mark Mitchell, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Special Agent in Charge Brian Johnston, and GBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Lisa Vorrasi; plus community leaders such as Fulton County School Board Member Lillie Pozatek as well as Brian Dolan and others from the Milton First Responders Foundation, which supports the City’s police officers and firefighters.

The bulk of the audience consisted of fellow Milton public servants and members of the City’s extended family – loved ones who’d come to celebrate the day’s honorees.

One of those was Chris Ward, a Milton High School alumnus, Marine veteran, and member of the Milton Police Department since 2010. Griffin announced Ward’s “well-deserved promotion” from Lieutenant to Deputy Chief, which is a new role.

A pair of former Milton “Officers of the Year,” meanwhile, rose to the ranks of Sergeant. They are Scott Harrell, a Navy veteran with 34 years of law enforcement experience, and Laura Hamby, who has been with Milton Police for the past five years.

Friday’s ceremony was also an opportunity to recognize Milton’s newest detectives, both of whom came from the MPD’s Uniform Patrol Division. Sarah Moore, a University of North Georgia graduate, joined the Milton Police in March 2020. Rebecca Tidwell is a former Officer of the Year who serves as a medic in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

Then, seven men and women were officially welcomed to the Milton Police Department by being sworn in by Griffin and “pinned” by their loved ones. They are:

• Blake Arnold
• Randy Dula
• Sarah Ellison
• Jason Jackson
• William Sessa
• Ingrid Smith
• Brian Stafford

The City is proud of all these men and women, as well as those already in the Department, and thankful for their service to our community.