Organization
Management Profiles
Gwinnett County Sheriff:
Sheriff Keybo Taylor
Keybo.Taylor@GwinnettCounty.com
On November 3, 2020, Sheriff Keybo Taylor was elected as the first African American Sheriff for the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office.
A native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Sheriff Taylor joined the Gwinnett County Police Department in 1983. His 29 years of law enforcement experience included undercover investigations that encompassed the Criminal Investigations Division and the Special Investigations Section.
By 1994, Taylor was assigned to the FBI Drug Task Force. In 1995, he became the first African American to be promoted to Sergeant. He continued his career as a supervisor in the Uniform Division. Taylor also served as a first-line supervisor in Special Operations (COPS Program) and Criminal Investigations (Narcotics Squad).
In 2000, Taylor was promoted to Lieutenant and served as Unit Commander leading the Gwinnett County Drug Task Force. By 2007, 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 a Major, he managed both the East and South precincts.
Sheriff Taylor credits a significant 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.
Sheriff Taylor has received the Intermediate, Advanced, Supervision, and Management certifications through the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST). He is also a Certified General Post Instructor, a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College Class X, a graduate of the DEA Drug Unit Command Academy, and a certified Crisis Intervention Trainer.
Sheriff Keybo Taylor took office on 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.
As a former volunteer football coach, Sheriff Taylor still enjoys football games and mentoring youths about positive decision-making through sports. He also makes it a priority to spend family time with his three children and seven 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.
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 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.
Field Operations Division Director:
Assistant Chief Austin Godfrey
Austin.Godfrey@GwinnettCounty.Com
Assistant Chief Austin M. Godfrey began his career in law enforcement in 1998 as a police officer with the Gwinnett County Police Department. He has served as a Task Force Officer with the FBI’s Crimes Against Children Human Trafficking Task Force, a member of the GBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and a member of the Georgia Gang Investigators Association.
Assistant Chief Godfrey has spent the majority of his career assigned to specialized units. These units have included Special Victims, Narcotics, Crime Suppression, and VICE and Alcohol. Additionally, he was a member of the S.W.A.T. Team for over 18 years, where he served as the Sniper Team Leader.
Assistant Chief Godfrey joined the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office in January 2021 and accepted his appointment as Major of the Special Investigations Section. In this role, he helped establish and build the Trafficking and Child Exploitation (TRACE) and Gang Units. Under his leadership, the Special Investigations Section expanded to include the Fugitive, Jail Intelligence, and Crime & Intelligence Analyst Units along with the Gwinnett Metro Task Force.
Over the course of his career, Assistant Chief Godfrey has received over 6,000 hours of basic and specialized training from the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.). His certifications include Management, Supervision, Advanced, Intermediate, General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Sniper Instructor, Field Training Officer, and SWAT Command.
Assistant Chief Godfrey is a native of Gwinnett County and graduated from South Gwinnett High School. He is also a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Jail Operations Division Director:
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.
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.
Special Projects Coordinator:
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.
