Canton Police Hires New Assistant Chief

 On January 23, 2015, Major Steve Merrifield of the Cobb County Police Department accepted a Final Offer of Employment to become our Assistant Chief.  Major Merrifield grew up in Forest Park Georgia and graduated from Forest Park High School. He served four (4) years as a United States Army Ranger in Savannah Georgia before beginning his law enforcement career with the Cobb County Police Department in 1984.

Steve Merrifield

As an officer, he worked in a variety of assignments such as a patrol officer, a Field Training Officer, S.W.A.T. Team member and a member of the department's D.U.I. Task Force. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1989 and served as a Shift Supervisor, D.U.I. Task Force Sergeant and eventually headed up the department's first full time Tactical Team. In 1998, Steve Merrifield was promoted to Lieutenant and in addition to his assignments as a Shift Commander, S.W.A.T. Team Commander, Criminal Investigations Unit Commander and Park Ranger Commander; he also created the department's first Gang Unit (CAGE) and later the department's First Street Crime Unit (VIPER).

In 2009, Major Merrifield was promoted to Captain and served in a variety of assignments to include Precinct Commander and Commander of the Internal Affairs Unit.  He was promoted to Major in 2013 and served as the adjutant to the Deputy Chief over Precinct Operations until 2015.

Steve Merrifield graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor Degree in Business Management in 2005.  He is also a graduate of the 241st session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Major Merrifield currently resides in Acworth Georgia with his daughter who is nearing completion of her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Kennesaw State University.

“I strongly believe Major Merrifield demonstrates the leadership qualities, character and traits required of someone to occupy the position of Assistant Chief.  As you can see, his many accomplishments in and by themselves say a lot about his dedication, loyalty and desire to succeed.  Major Merrifield has a high degree of personal integrity and a strong work ethic.  He is approachable, professional and he displays a very motivated personality.” -Chief Mark Mitchell

Major Merrifield will start his tenure as Assistant Chief with the Canton Police Department on Wednesday February 18, 2015.  He will be officially sworn in as the Assistant Chief on February 18th at 1400 hours in the City Council Chambers. 

Canton Police Media Day

Missing / Runaway

We have located the previous Missing/Runaway from today. She was found safe near her home by a patrolling Canton Officer.

Leaders Discuss Preparedness

Today, January 12, 2015, Police Chief Mark Mitchell and Canton Fire Chief Dean Floyd met with City Manager, Glen Cummins and department leaders to discuss the City's winter weather preparedness plan to meet the demands of a severe winter weather event.

The discussion included what they had learned from last year's late January winter storm and reviewed the storms "After Action Report's".  The leaders discussed road plowing and salting, staging area's for material, emergency vehicles to be used, and how to keep the public informed of road closure.

"We met today in an effort for each department to be on the same page which will make our collective response to a winter weather event more efficient, timely and effective" stated Chief Mitchell.

Armed Robbery Investigation

On Thursday December 25, 2014 just after 7:00 pm., Unit(s) responded to the report of suspicious activity in the Prominence Point area.  Officer(s) arrived and discovered two (2) fifteen year old males had been victims of the crime of Armed Robbery where four (4) black male teens had allegedly robbed them at gunpoint of their cellphones.  A lookout was given to surrounding agencies as Officer(s) began to collect statements and evidence on scene.  A few moments later, a Cherokee S.O. Sgt. located two (2) males on foot in the area who matched the description of the suspect(s) in this incident

Canton Officer(s) arrived and were able to facilitate through a “show up” line up, one of the victims positively identified the persons of interest as two (2) of the Armed Robbery perpetrators.  In addition, Officer(s) along with the Sheriff’s Office were able to locate the weapons (BB Guns) and stolen cell phones in the case.  The Detective Bureau also responded and upon further interviews was able to locate the other two (2) suspects in the case and take them into custody as well.  All four (4) suspects have been arrested and charged with the crime of Armed Robbery, they ranged in ages from fourteen (14) to twenty (20).

We would like to thank the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office for their proactive and timely assistance with this incident.