Person Injured Update

Chris Wayne Hulsey, 46 years old from Cleveland Ga died on Saturday, December 12, 2015, from his injuries he sustained from a fall that occurred December 10, 2015.  The fall occurred while he was performing construction work on storage tanks near Lower Scott Mill Rd and Hickory Flat Highway.


Previous Press Release (December 10, 2015):

On December 10, 2015 at approximately 4:00 PM a 46 year old male fell approximately 16 feet from a storage tank while performing construction work. The incident occurred near Lower Scott Mill Road and Hickory Flat Highway. The individual sustained severe injuries and was transported by ambulance to Kennestone Hospital. The individual’s condition is currently unknown at the time of this release. Canton Police and Fire Department are currently investigating the incident to see what exactly occurred.

Missing Juvenile Located

UPDATE: We are glad to report the missing juvenile has been located in Houston, Texas with family members. Her family here in Canton is currently working with those in Houston to get her home safe and sound. Thank you for sharing this post and as always, we appreciate your valued support!

Person Injured

On December 10, 2015 at approximately 4:00 PM a 46 year old male fell approximately 16 feet from a storage tank while performing construction work. The incident occurred near Lower Scott Mill Road and Hickory Flat Highway. The individual sustained severe injuries and was transported by ambulance to Kennestone Hospital. The individual’s condition is currently unknown at the time of this release. Canton Police and Fire Department are currently investigating the incident to see what exactly occurred.

Vehicle Break-in Investigation

The Police Department is seeking help from the community to identify who is responsible for making entry into multiple vehicles during the early morning hours of November 30, 2015.  Just after 1:30 am., Officers were dispatched to the report of an entering auto in progress in the River Ridge Apartment complex which is located off Reinhardt College Parkway.

 

As units responded, the caller advised a young black male wearing a light in color hooded sweatshirt was in her vehicle.  Upon arrival, Officers were told by the victim that she yelled at the individual who fled the scene before Officers arrived.  Throughout the day, Officers took additional entering auto reports in the River Ridge complex and in the area of Oakside Drive which is located adjacent to the aforementioned apartments.

 

Public Information Officer Pacer Cordry stated, “Our Detectives are currently in the field canvassing the areas and speaking to residents in an effort to generate solid leads in these cases.”  He added, “We have also increased Officer Patrols in these locations and we are asking for any citizen who has information in regard to these crimes to come forward and contact the department.” 

Officer Cordry also advised, “The agency urges citizens to make sure to lock your vehicles and to refrain from leaving any belongings such as currency, wallets, purses, guns, computers, GPS devices, etc  in your vehicle during the overnight hours.

Anyone with information in connection with this investigation is asked to contact Criminal Investigation Division Detective Drew Henson at 770-720-7883 or via e-mail at drew.henson@canton-georgia.com.     

Canton Police Department Hires Two New Officers

The City of Canton Police Department has hired two (2) new Police Officers.  Officer Tiffanie Smithwick and Officer Summer Curran were sworn in by Judge Thomas Roach on Monday, November 30, 2015 at City Hall.  Officer Smithwick has five (5) years certified experience from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.  Officer Curran has six (6) years certified experience with the Glynn County Police Department. Both Officer Smithwick and Officer Curran will spend the upcoming months in the departments FTO (Field Training Officer) program.  The FTO program provides a foundation for learning that prepares new Canton Officers to familiarize themselves with the policies and procedures of the organization.  Officer Smithwick and Officer Curran will familiarize themselves with businesses, city ordinances, and how to navigate their way in the City.  The Officers will also begin to interact with the citizens they are sworn to protect and enhance community involvement with both themselves and the department.       

Police Chief Mark J. Mitchell stated, "We are working hard to ensure that we employee the most professional Officers with a mindset of community and an attitude of service.  We strongly feel that Officer Smithwick and Officer Curran will be an excellent fit for this agency and our community."  He added, "We are excited for both of these new Officers to become part of the team and culture that we are building here at the Police Department and to be involved in cultivating partnerships with our citizens."   

Canton Police Hires Wendell Turner As New Captain

Wendell B. Turner, Jr.

 On September 14, 2015, the City of Statesboro, Ga., Director of Public Safety, Mr. Wendell B. Turner, Jr., accepted an offer of employment to be the Police Department’s Captain in command of the Support Services Bureau where he is slated to begin his tenure on October 21, 2015.  Mr. Turner, a twenty (22) year law enforcement veteran, began his career with the Statesboro Police Department in 1993 as a uniformed patrol officer.  He was quickly promoted through the ranks attaining positions in the Patrol Bureau as an Advanced Patrol Officer, Investigative Bureau as Detective, Professional Standards and Training Division Commander as Lieutenant, Support Services Division Commander as Lieutenant and later Captain, and Patrol Bureau Commander as Captain.   

Wendell Turner also progressed in a tactical capacity as an Emergency Response Team (ERT) member, ERT Team Leader and ERT Team Commander.  In 2010, he was appointed by the Statesboro City Manager to the newly created position of Director of Public Safety.  The position is the Department Head for the Police and Fire Departments and his overall responsibilities included the administration, operations, personnel management, fiscal preparations and responsibilities of each department.  

Mr. Turner holds several Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) Certifications to include:  Basic LE Certification, Senior Training Instructor Certification, Managerial Certification and Executive Certification.  He is a Certified General Law Enforcement Instructor and holds current specializations in Firearms and Defensive Tactics.  He is also certified to instruct in the area of ASP Expandable Baton and holds past certifications in Taser, Pressure Point Control Tactics, Distraction Devices, Less Lethal Munitions, Chemical Munitions and FN 303 Less Lethal Weapon.  He has been an adjunct instructor for Ogeechee Technical College and the Southeast Georgia Regional Police Academy. Over the past three years, he has taught upper level Justice Studies classes at Georgia Southern University as a part-time faculty member, and continues to do so currently.  He also holds his State of Georgia Registered Volunteer Firefighter Certification.

Wendell Turner has over 3,000 hours of Advanced Law Enforcement training to his credit and also holds several current and past professional memberships and board appointments to include: FBINAA Georgia Chapter, Peace Officers Association of GA,  National Tactical Officers Association, Law Enforcement Control Board Member Southeast Georgia Regional Police Academy and OTC Police Academy,  FBINAA GA Chapter Area 4 Representative (2010-2014), Board Member Bulloch County Habitat for Humanity (past member), Board Member American Red Cross (past member), Georgia Law Enforcement Association of Firearms Instructors (past member) and Georgia Association of Internal Affairs Investigators (past member), and Rotary International Member Statesboro, GA (past member).

In addition, Wendell Turner has been recognized for several professional achievements throughout his career to include: Departmental Accommodations, Several Departmental Top Gun Awards, Supervisor of the Year, FBINA Fitness Excellence Award and a prestigious FBI Appreciation Certificate awarded by former FBI Director Mueller. 

Furthermore, he considers himself extremely fortunate having graduated the 213th Session of the FBI National Academy Program in Quantico, VA, the 23rd Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Command College and the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Professional Management Program. He obtained his BS Degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia Southern University (2004) and his MPA Degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University (2006).

Wendell Turner is the proud father of two (2) daughters; Chandler (15) and Devyn (18).

Canton Police Department Chief of Police Mark J. Mitchell stated, “I strongly feel that Mr. Turner will be an exceptional addition to the Command Staff of our organization.  He has shown throughout his outstanding career that he has the leadership qualities, work ethic, integrity, character, and community mindset that we need in this agency.  The aforementioned traits, skills and experience he has developed throughout his career will not only enhance the support of our Officers but will also strengthen our service to the community.”

Wendell Turner will be officially sworn in as Captain on Thursday, October 15, 2015, at 11:00 am in the City Council Chambers and then recognized for his new position on the same date at 6:00 pm., before the Council Meeting.

New Canton Police Officer

The City of Canton Police Department has hired a new Police Officer.  Officer Kyle Smith was sworn in by Judge Darrell Caudill on Friday, September 18, 2015. Officer Smith is a graduate of the Cherokee County Regional Police Academy, where he completed 408 hours of police training over the past 11 weeks. Officer Smith also earned the distinct honor of receiving his graduating class flag for his outstanding performance and exemplary attitude during the academy.

Judge D. Caudill, Rebecca Smith, and Kyle Smith

Officer Smith will spend the next several months in the department’s FTO (Field Training Officer) program. The FTO program provides a foundation for learning that prepares new Canton Officers for the complexities of policing today and in the future.