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.