Organization
Management Profiles
Gwinnett County Sheriff:
Sheriff Keybo Taylor
Keybo.Taylor@GwinnettCounty.com
Sheriff Keybo Taylor was elected Gwinnett County’s first African American Sheriff November 3, 2020. Sheriff Taylor’s illustrious career in law enforcement was marked by many firsts.
A native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Sheriff Taylor joined the Gwinnett County Police Department in 1983. His 26 years of law enforcement experience included serving in undercover investigations, which encompassed the Criminal Investigations Division and the Special Investigations Section. By 1994, Sheriff Taylor was assigned to the FBI Drug Task Force. In 1995, he became the first African American promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He continued his career as a supervisor in the Uniform Division. Sheriff Taylor also served as a first-line supervisor in Special Operations (COPS Program) and Criminal Investigations (Narcotics Squad). In 2000, Sheriff Taylor was promoted to Lieutenant and served as Unit Commander, leading the Gwinnett County Drug Task Force. By 2007, Sheriff Taylor received his appointment as Major. He was the first African American within the Gwinnett County Police Department to achieve the rank of Major. As Major, he managed both the East and South precincts.
Sheriff Taylor credits a major portion of his career advancement to his educational and professional development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Mercer University and a master’s degree in public administration from Columbus State University. He received certification in Intermediate, Advanced, Supervision, and Management through the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.). Sheriff Taylor is also a Certified General Post Instructor; graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College Class X, graduate of the DEA Drug Unit Command Academy, and a certified Crisis Intervention Trainer.
Sheriff Taylor took office January 1, 2021. Sheriff Taylor’s first days in office were marked by an end to the 287(g) Program, the dissolution of the litigious Rapid Response Team, the installation of an Anti-Gang Unit, and the implementation of the Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit.
Sheriff Taylor resides in his hometown of Lawrenceville, GA with Linda, his wife of 36 years. They are the proud parents of two children and three grandchildren.
Assistant Chief:
Assistant Chief Evette McKenzie
Evette.McKenzie@GwinnettCounty.com
Assistant Chief Evette McKenzie has dedicated 15 years with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office and has over 17 years of law enforcement experience. During her tenure with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, Assistant Chief McKenzie has served in various administrative positions within the Jail Division. She has provided oversight for managers, supervisors, and deputies who are responsible for the daily operations of specialized units within the Sheriff’s Office. Earlier in her career, she served as a detention officer for two years with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant Chief McKenzie holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Brenau University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia Southern University, and was a member of the Georgia Jail Association’s Executive Board for 10 years.
Chief of Staff:
Assistant Chief Michael Carr
Michael.Carr@GwinnettCounty.com
Assistant Chief Michael Carr began his law enforcement career as a City of Atlanta police officer in 1992. He then joined the Norcross Police Department in 1997 and the Gwinnett Police Department in 1999. He earned promotions at regular intervals and has worked in several divisions of the Gwinnett County Police Department, including the Uniform Division, Criminal Investigations Division, Special Investigations Section, Narcotics Unit, General Investigations Unit, Support Operations Division and Motor Traffic Unit. He also assisted the FBI, ATF, DEA, and U.S. Customs with investigations.
Assistant Chief Carr has earned several certifications from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.), including General Post Instructor, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervision and Management. He has received more than 3,000 hours of basic and specialized training and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the Columbia Southern University. He is a United States Navy veteran.
Administrative Bureau Director:
Deputy Chief Melanie Jones
Melanie.Jones@GwinnettCounty.com
Deputy Chief Jones began her career with the Gwinnett County Police Department as a Police Recruit in 2004. She joined the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office in 2005. Deputy Chief Jones has dedicated over 17 years to providing outstanding service and achieving customer success by specializing in organizational structure, recruitment, and retention at the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. During her career, she has performed critical roles in the Jail Operations Division, Jail Administrations Section, Field Operations Division, and Administrative Services Division.
Deputy Chief Jones has earned promotions at regular intervals. As a Background Investigations Sergeant, she directed the administrative units, including Background Investigations, Internal Affairs, and Recruitment. Promoted to Lieutenant in December 2019, she served as the Commander of the Professional Standards Section and Public Information Officer. In January 2021, she was appointed by Sheriff Keybo Taylor to Assistant Chief Deputy and served as the Commander of the Administrative Services Division. Further evident of her exemplary level of leadership and service, she was promoted to Deputy Chief in December 2021 and currently serves as Director of the Administrative Bureau. She has earned several certifications from the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.) and has more than 2,000 hours of basic and specialized training and is a Polygraph Examiner.
Operational Bureau Director:
Deputy Chief Marcelino LaBoy
Marcelino.Laboy@GwinnettCounty.com
Deputy Chief LaBoy began his career with the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office in 1993. During his career, he has earned promotions at regular intervals and has worked in several areas of the agency. He served in the Narcotics Unit, Courts Operations Division, Family Violence Unit, Investigative Services Unit, Field Operations Division, and Jail Operations Division. Promoted to Lieutenant in 2015, he served as second in command in the Criminal Investigation Section. In 2018, Deputy Chief LaBoy was appointed Captain and served as second in command in the Field Operations Division. Additionally, he has served as the Major in the Jail Administration Division. Deputy Chief LaBoy has obtained more than 3,000 hours of basic and specialized training. He is a United States Navy veteran.
Administrative Services Division Director:
Assistant Chief Renee Walker
Renee.Walker@GwinnettCounty.com
Assistant Chief Renee Walker has dedicated over 26 years of outstanding service and leadership at the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. She is proficient in various areas of the agency, including the Jail Operations Division, Field Operations Division, Court Operations Division, and the Administrative Services Division. She specializes in Internal Affairs, Recruitment, Criminal Investigations, Family Violence, Field Training Coordinator, and has over 10 years of management experience in the Professional Standards Section. She is also a Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Instructor and a certified Field Training Officer. Assistant Chief Walker has earned promotions at regular intervals. She was appointed to Major in January 2021 and appointed as Assistant Chief in December 2021. She also serves as the LGBTQ+ Liaison. Assistant Chief Walker is married to her wife Beverly, and they enjoy traveling and spoiling their grandchildren.
Department Director:
Chief Cleophas Atwater
Cleo.Atwater@GwinnettCounty.com
Chief Cleophas Atwater was appointed Chief of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office January 1, 2021. He began his career as a Gwinnett County Police Officer in December 1996 as a member of the 37th Police Academy. Promoted to Lieutenant in September 2014, he served as the South
Precinct Watch Commander, and as the Assistant Commander in the Criminal Investigations Division. In April 2016, he was appointed by the Chief of Police to serve as the Gwinnett County Special Weapons and Tactics Team Commander, dedicating over 19 years of honorable service. Chief Atwater was appointed as Major in May 2018 and served as the Special Investigations Section Commander.
Chief Atwater has earned promotions at regular intervals. As a Detective Sergeant, he directed operations in specialized units, such as Homicide, Robbery, Narcotics, VICE, and the Gang Unit. He has earned several certifications from the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.), including, General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, and Defensive Tactics Instructor. Chief Atwater has obtained more than 4,337 hours of basic and specialized training.
Support Operations Division Director:
Assistant Chief Antonio Webster
Antonio.Webster@GwinnettCounty.com
Assistant Chief Antonio Webster began his career with the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office in 1999. Assistant Chief Webster has dedicated over 23 years of outstanding leadership and is especially qualified in Field Operations. He is specialized in serving high-risk warrants, hostage rescue, and general tactical operations.
Assistant Chief Webster has earned promotions at regular intervals and has supervised specialized units such as Investigative Services Unit, Fugitive Unit, Uniform Warrants, Sex Offenders Unit, Family Violence Unit, and more. In January 2021, he was appointed to Major, overseeing the Criminal Investigation Section and second in command of the Field Operations Division. In December 2021, he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Field Operations Division. Additionally, Assistant Chief Webster served eight years in the United States Navy.
Court Operations Division Director:
Assistant Chief Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine.Jackson@GwinnettCounty.com
Assistant Chief Jermaine Jackson began his career with the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office in 2009. He has earned promotions at regular intervals and has worked in most areas of the agency, including the Jail Operations Division, Court Operations Division, Support Operations Division, and the Training Section. During his career, he worked as the Commander for the Sheriff's Office Explorer Program and launched its first scholarship program. Appointed to Captain in 2018, he served as the Shift Commander in the Jail Operations Division.
Assistant Chief Jackson has earned several certifications from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.), including General Instructor Certification and Firearms Instructor Certification. He is a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served 20 years.
Field Operations Division Director:
Assistant Chief Jeremy Brown
Jeremy.Brown@GwinnettCounty.com
Assistant Chief Brown began his career with the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office in 1996. He has earned promotions at regular intervals and worked in several areas of the agency. During his career, he served in the Administrative Services Division, Field Operations Division, Jail
Operations Division, and Court Operations Division. After being promoted to Lieutenant in 2010, he supervised the Warrants Unit, Sex Offender Unit, and Family Violence Unit. In 2012, Assistant Chief Brown joined the Professional Standards Section and supervised the Background Investigations Unit, Internal Affairs Unit, and Recruitment Unit.
Assistant Chief Brown has obtained more than 2,800 hours of basic and specialized training. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Auburn University and a master’s degree in police administration from Columbus State University. Assistant Chief Brown is also a Polygraph Examiner.
