Organization
Management Profiles
Chief of Police:
James D. McClure
James.McClure@gwinnettcounty.com
J.D. McClure became Chief of Police of the Gwinnett County Police Department in August 2021. Previously, he served as deputy chief, commanding the department’s Operations Bureau.
McClure was appointed to Major in 2016 where he served as the Central Precinct Commander and the department’s Chief of Staff. He was also a dedicated member of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team for more than a decade, retiring as the Tactical Team Leader. McClure was promoted to Lieutenant in September 2009 where he served as Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division, Watch Commander in the Criminal Investigations Section, and as the Commander of the Office of Professional Standards. He began his career as a police officer with the Gwinnett County Police Department in September 1996 as a member of the 36th Police Academy.
McClure obtained an associate degree in Criminal Justice and is a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Operations Bureau:
Deputy Chief Jesse Jones
Jesse.jones@gwinnettcounty.com
Jesse Jones became Deputy Chief of Police of the Gwinnett County Police Department in August 2021. He began his career as a Police Officer with the Gwinnett County Police Department in September of 1996. He has earned promotions at regular intervals and has worked in most areas of the agency. Prior to assuming command of the Operations Bureau, Deputy Chief Jones was commander of the Uniform Division from March 2018 to August of 2021. Prior to that, Deputy Chief Jones served as the Chief of Staff and the South Precinct Commander.
A 2016 graduate of the 265th Session of the FBI National Academy, he holds a Master of Humanities degree from Tiffin University and has earned more than 3,000 hours of specialized training. The Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council awarded Assistant Chief Jones several certifications, including, Management, Supervision, and General Instructor.
Administrative Bureau:
Deputy Chief Patrick Cronin
Patrick.cronin@gwinnettcounty.com
Deputy Chief Patrick Cronin began his career with the Gwinnett County Police Department in October of 1994 when he joined the 32nd Gwinnett County Police Academy. He proudly served in the U.S. Army for 8 ½ years as a Military Policeman, six of those years was spend working as a Military Police Investigator in assignments at Ft. Richardson, Alaska and Ft. McPherson, GA. Deputy Chief Cronin earned promotions at regular intervals and has worked in several areas of the agency. During his career he has worked at most of the department’s precincts, including being the Commander of Central Precinct. He served four years in the Criminal Investigations Division, seven years in the Office of Professional Standards including five years as the Commander of the Office of Professional Standards, five years as the Academy Director, a year as the Commander of the Special Investigations Section, and he was serving a second time as the Academy Director prior to being appointed to Assistant Chief and assuming command of the Administrative Services Division in March 2018.
Deputy Chief Cronin has earned several certifications from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. These include: Intermediate and Advanced Certificates, Supervision and Management Certificates, Field Training Officer, General Instructor, and Academy Director Certificates. He has obtained more than 2,900 hours of specialized training. Deputy Chief Cronin holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Troy University and a Master’s Degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. Deputy Chief Cronin is a 2016 graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College.
Commander, Support Operations Division:
Assistant Chief Steven K. Shaw
Assistant Chief Steven K. Shaw began his career with the Gwinnett County Police Department in December of 1997. He was a member of the 40th Session of the Gwinnett County Police Academy. He earned promotions at regular intervals and has worked in several areas of the agency. During his career he has worked at several of the department’s precincts and was the Unit Supervisor for the West Precinct Community Response Team. Assistant Chief Shaw also served 16 years in the Criminal Investigations Section specializing in Major Felony Investigations as both a Detective and Supervisor. He served as the Watch Commander of the Homicide and Robbery Unit and was the Commander of the Criminal Investigations Section while holding the rank of Major. Prior to assuming command of the Administrative Services Division, he was serving as the Training Director for the Police Department.
Assistant Chief Shaw has earned several certifications from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. These include: Intermediate and Advanced Certificates, Supervision and Management Certificates, Field Training Officer, General Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Use of Force Instructor, and Academy Director Certificates. He has obtained more than 3,065 hours of specialized training. Assistant Chief Shaw holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Studies from Georgia Southern University and a Master’s Degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. He is a 2019 graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College.
Commander, Criminal Investigations Division:
Assistant Chief Gale Higginbotham
Gale.Higginbotham@gwinnettcounty.com
Assistant Chief Gale Higginbotham grew up in Gwinnett County and graduated from Meadowcreek High School. She went on to earn her Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Georgia. She then went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University in 2011. In 2014, she graduated from the 258th Session of the FBI National Academy.
Assistant Chief Higginbotham began her career in 1996 and graduated from the 37th Gwinnett County Police Academy. During her career, she worked in the Uniform Division at every rank to include Major. She worked as a DUI Task Force officer, a detective and later a sergeant in the Criminal Investigation Division. She has also worked as the Assistant Commander of the Special Operations Section where she oversaw operations for the Motor Unit, Accident Investigation Unit, Red light Camera Unit, School Crossing Guards and the Crime Prevention Unit.
Assistant Chief Higginbotham served as a Major for over seven years. She served as the precinct commander of both our West and East Precincts. She also served as the Police Academy Director for two years.
Commander, Uniform Division:
Assistant Chief Chris Smith
Chris.Smith@gwinnettcounty.com
Assistant Chief Christopher Smith began his career with the Gwinnett County Police Department in December 1999 after honorably serving in the United States Air Force. He was a member of the 46th Gwinnett County Police Academy and he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration.
Assistant Chief Smith served in numerous units in the Police Department including CRT, Gangs, Crime Suppression, Quality of Life, Special Victims, and Homicide Unit. He has also commanded the Special Operations Section overseeing the Aviation, K9, Accident Investigation, DUI, Motors, and Crime Prevention Units. Smith served as the Central Precinct Commander handling the day-to-day operations of a 70-square-mile area including the county’s most populous retail and entertainment district, a robust hospitality industry and two Community Improvement Districts. Prior to assuming command of the Uniform Division, he served as Commander of the Criminal Investigations Section.
Assistant Chief Smith has earned several certifications from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council including Intermediate, Advanced, Supervision, Management, Field Training Officer, and Senior Training Instructor.
Commander, Training Division:
Assistant Chief Everett Spellman
Everett.Spellman@gwinnettcounty.com
Assistant Chief Everett Spellman began his career with Gwinnett County January 1998. He was a member of the 40th Police Academy. He has earned promotions at regular intervals and has worked in several specialized units including, CRT, Gangs, Crime Suppression, DUI, K-9, and SWAT. Assistant Chief Spellman also worked in the Administrative Service Division as an Assistant Training Academy Director. Prior to assuming command of the Support Operations Division, he served as Commander of the West Precinct where he reduced crime through several Community Outreach Initiatives and Special Operation details.
Assistant Chief Spellman has earned several certifications from The Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council, including: Intermediate, Advanced, Supervision, Management, General Instructor, Senior Instructor, Driver Training Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Speed Detection Instructor and Field Training Officer and has obtained more than 5,375 hours of basic and specialized training. Assistant Chief Spellman holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and in 2017 obtained a master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University.
