Canton Names Stephen Merrifield As Police Chief

Stephen L. Merrifield, Chief of Police

City Manager Billy Peppers has officially named Interim Police Chief Stephen Merrifield as the new City of Canton’s Chief of Police. 

“The Canton Police Department is a shining star for public safety, integrity, and honor in our community and region,” Peppers said.  “The work that each member does daily to work with the community, engage with our citizens, protect our businesses, and maintain law and order is exemplary and should be a model to every other law enforcement agency in Georgia.  I am proud to work with them and look forward to Chief Merrifield’s dedication to our purpose of public service with a heart of community".  Mayor Bill Grant added, "We are honored to have Chief Merrifield leading our team, and we look forward to his continued great work".

Merrifield previously had served as the Deputy Chief at the department for the past five years and has been the interim police chief since September 7 of last year, when former Police Chief Mark J. Mitchell accepted a position as Chief of Staff with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.

Chief 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.  He began as an officer and 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, 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.

Chief Merrifield graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kennesaw State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 2005.  He holds a master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. He is also a graduate of the 241st session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

The city will hold a public reception for Chief Merrifield beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2020, in the City Hall Auditorium just prior to the City Council Work Session as an opportunity for the public to formally meet Chief Merrifield, his family and congratulate him on this next season of his career.

Suspect Flees in Stolen Vehicle

On Thursday, January 9, 2020, at approximately 5:00 p.m. Canton Officers responded to a stolen vehicle from Taco Mac located at 1810 Cumming Hwy.  The female victim was an employee of the restaurant who stated a customer had taken her keys from a back area of the restaurant and was attempting to flee the scene. The victim located the suspect in the parking lot and attempted to open the vehicle's door as the suspect drove off forcing her to the ground. She was able to track the vehicle which led the Cherokee Sheriff's Department to its location on I-575 southbound near exit 14 where they apprehended the suspect.  

The suspect was identified as Latoshia Reanca Williams, 29 yrs. old of Alpharetta.  Williams was charged with Theft by Taking a Vehicle and Driving Under the Influence with other charges pending.  The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office will have additional charges related to the incident.

Chief Merrifield added "I would like to thank the Cherokee County Sherriff’s Office for their assistance with this incident.  This is a great example of agencies working together with the support of Cherokee 911".