Fourteen graduate in the second class of 2016 from Reinhardt University’s
Public Safety Institute
WALESKA, GA — Fourteen officers are certified after graduating from Reinhardt University’s Public Safety Institute Dec. 20. More than 70 percent of the graduates left with employment secured at various law enforcement agencies in the area.
“Agencies employing the newly minted officers include the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, Woodstock Police, Milton Police and Gainesville Police,” said Trey Drawdy, director of Reinhardt University’s Public Safety Institute.
The graduates of Class 16-002 are: Officer Alex Armstrong, of Woodstock; Officer Billie Baker, of Sugar Hill; Officer Joseph Brock, of Alpharetta; Officer Jenifer Cabrera-Kell, of Canton; Officer Jason Fields, of Milton; Officer Jamal Hunter, of Hiram; Officer Bryan Jailall, of Grayson; Officer Reed Janesek, of Woodstock; Deputy Scott Newbury, of Lawrenceville; Deputy De Jeannie Smith, of Snellville; Deputy Joey Stafford, of Winder; Officer Dale Thomas, of Hoschton; Officer Christopher Van Heest, of Marietta; and Deputy James Wilson, of Loganville.
RU Public Safety Institute adjunct professor, John Robison, gave the graduation address. Robison, who has been teaching in the academy since the Public Safety Institute’s inception, is the Powder Springs Police Chief but recently has been appointed as the director for the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety. He begins that position in January.
The ceremony also served as a special acknowledgement for a Reinhardt Public Safety Institute Advisory Board Member who has served since the academy’s inception: Gary George.
“Gary was instrumental in the establishment of basic law enforcement training at Reinhardt University and has always been an advocate for higher education and police professionalism. His leadership, wisdom, and passion for service will be greatly missed,” Drawdy said.
George is retiring from his position as the director of Alpharetta’s Department of Public Safety, the position for which Robison was appointed.
Photos attached: Class 16-002 graduated Dec. 20 in a ceremony at Reinhardt University’s Falany Performing Arts Center. Photo 2: Gary George, director of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, was honored for his work for Reinhardt University’s Public Safety Institute. George is retiring from the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety and RU’s public safety advisory board, on which he has served since the academy’s inception. Photos by Pat Patton
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About Reinhardt University
Founded in 1883, Reinhardt University is a private, comprehensive university grounded in the liberal arts and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Reinhardt offers 46 graduate and undergraduate programs, ranging from business and education to music and theater.
Reinhardt’s main residential campus is located in Waleska (Cherokee County), Ga., and offers selected programs in other regional centers including Cartersville, Canton and Woodstock, as well as online programs. Additional attractions on the Waleska campus include the Falany Performing Arts Center and the Funk Heritage Center.
For more information, please contact Reinhardt at (770) 720-5600 or see Reinhardt.edu.