By Jack Lindner
Marietta Daily Journal, Ga.
AUSTELL, Ga. — Austell’s new police chief, Shameta Jones-Harrell, said she initially didn’t realize the significance of being named the first woman police chief in Cobb County’s history. It wasn’t until her swearing-in June 4 that the former deputy chief recognized her impact on women in law enforcement.
Up to that point, Jones-Harrell, 47, said the only worry she had was focusing on doing her job right.
“I recognize that (this promotion) is very huge, because it’s definitely progress, and I think it’s definitely needed,” she said.
With her promotion, Jones-Harrell said she’s hopeful this milestone will be the first step toward eliminating the “first ever” label from job titles.
“I would like to see the day where there are no ‘firsts’ on a title,” she said. “That’s when we know we are where we need to be and everybody is brought in and being recognized through merit, hard work and respect.”
Law Enforcement Career
Born in Huntsville, Alabama, Jones-Harrell’s initial interest was the courtroom. During her years at Jacksonville State University, where she studied criminal justice with a focus in forensic investigations, she had her sights set on using her education to pursue a career as an attorney.
But it was during her college years when she was recruited by the Georgia Police Corps, a federal program initiated by the Clinton Administration, that offered to pay for recruits’ undergraduate or graduate school education in exchange for at least five years of service in law enforcement.
After exploring all they had to offer, Jones-Harrell enrolled in the program and never looked back. Now, with over 25 years of experience, she couldn’t imagine working in any other field.
“Once I got into law enforcement (and) started doing the job, it was just a natural gravitation, and it just grabbed a hold of me and I loved it,” she said. “It was very clear that it was my calling.”
Her law enforcement career began in 2000 after graduating from the corps and receiving her degree. Her first stop was in College Park working as a uniformed patrol officer with the College Park Police Department .
With the department, she climbed her way up the ranks, working as a field training officer, a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division and earning the rank of sergeant.
In 2013, she transferred to the Brookhaven Police Department , where she helped to build up the department under its first Police Chief Gary Yandura . There, she began as a uniform patrol sergeant before advancing to lieutenant, then major of the Support Services Division .
During her time in Brookhaven , Jones-Harrell managed various units and divisions within the department including the Community Engagement Unit; Training Division; Traffic Safety Unit; Property and Evidence Division and the department’s Hiring and Background Investigations, among others.
Transfer to Austell
It was also during this time when she met former Austell Police Chief Scott Hamilton, who was then working for the Cobb County Police Department.
“He just kind of became a mentor and a friend,” Jones-Harrell said. "... and years later, he came here as the chief, he needed a deputy chief and asked me about taking the position.”
At the time, Jones-Harrell said she wasn’t looking to leave Brookhaven PD. But it was the opportunity to build up another department with their shared vision that drew her to the position, and she ultimately accepted.
The goal with the new administration, she said, was to completely rebuild the department, which she described as “about 20 years behind” technologically.
“I knew we were coming in to do a kind of rebuild,” she said. “I like the fact that (Austell PD) is growing ..."I enjoy growing things, and I was excited about making changes to help this department grow.”
Hamilton said the duo was able to accomplish all of their goals during their time together thanks to Jones-Harrell’s drive to get the job done the right way.
After announcing his resignation in February, Hamilton said he knew he was leaving the department in good hands.
"(Harrell) was my rock ... She was instrumental,” Hamilton told the MDJ. " Austell residents can expect dedication and hard work (from her) ... She’s dedicated to that police department, she’s dedicated to the city of Austell .”
‘Develop from within’
Now officially in her new role, Jones-Harrell said she plans to get to work on accomplishing her own goals for the department.
First on her list is to finish a major goal that Hamilton started: getting the department’s first state certification from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.
The certification status, according to the organization’s website, represents a significant professional achievement for a law enforcement agency. The certification recognizes those that have implemented policies that are “the best practices,” Jones-Harrell said, including training and use-of-force policies.
By earning this certification, Jones-Harrell said it can “open many doors” for the department, including the likelihood of receiving more grants.
The most important goal, she said, is to continue building on the culture that has been newly established within the Austell Police Department , and it all starts with recruiting, retention and training.
According to Jones-Harrell, the department has 31 full-time employees with five vacancies, and she is looking to find new ways to retain new officers.
For the new chief, the most important way to retain her officers is by establishing “open, honest communication and dialogue.”
Whether it’s through the department’s Peer Support program, an anonymous suggestion box in the rollcall room, assigning every officer a mentor or simply talking to each of her employees one-on-one, Jones-Harrell said she is committed to addressing officers’ needs and making them feel they are in “a safe place.”
After retaining her officers, Jones-Harrell wants to implement more leadership training among her staff to provide them more opportunities for improvement and growth, both personally and professionally.
“Leadership training and development is very important,” she said. “My goal is to develop from within ... My goal is to move the person from the bottom up to possibly where I’m sitting.”
The chief hopes to not just retain officers, but to also build upon her own example by recruiting more women.
“Hopefully just me being in this role, and them seeing a female in this role, hopefully that will attract (more female staff),” she said. “That’s how you build a legacy, by establishing culture, and that training and that development, so that way we have a strong department within.”
© 2025 Marietta Daily Journal, Ga.. Visit www.mdjonline.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.