Organization | Police Department
Management Profiles
Chief of Police:
James D. McClure
James.McClure@GwinnettCounty.com
J.D. McClure became Chief of Police of the Gwinnett County Police Department in August 2021. Previously, he served as deputy chief, commanding the department’s Operations Bureau.
McClure was appointed to Major in 2016 where he served as the Central Precinct Commander and the department’s Chief of Staff. He was also a dedicated member of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team for more than a decade, retiring as the Tactical Team Leader. McClure was promoted to Lieutenant in September 2009 where he served as Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division, Watch Commander in the Criminal Investigations Section, and as the Commander of the Office of Professional Standards. He began his career as a police officer with the Gwinnett County Police Department in September 1996 as a member of the 36th Police Academy.
McClure obtained an associate degree in Criminal Justice and is a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Commander, Operations Bureau:
Deputy Chief Steve Shaw
Deputy Chief Steven K. Shaw joined the Gwinnett County Police Department in December 1997. He was a member of the 40th Session of the Gwinnett County Police Academy, where he received the High Shooter Award. Over the years, he has earned regular promotions and has worked in various capacities within the agency, including several precincts and specialized units.
Deputy Chief Shaw spent over 16 years in the Criminal Investigations Section specializing in Major Felony Investigations where he served as both a Detective and Supervisor. He was the Watch Commander of the Homicide and Robbery Unit and Section Commander of Criminal Investigations while holding the rank of Major. Prior to assuming command of the Operations Bureau, he was the Training Director for the police department and served as the Assistant Chief over the Support Operations Division.
Deputy Chief Shaw has obtained numerous certifications from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, including Intermediate and Advanced Certificates, Supervision and Management Certificates, Senior Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Use of Force Instructor, and the Academy Director Certificate. He has completed over 3,296 hours of specialized training. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies from Georgia Southern University and a Master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College (2019) and in 2024 graduated from the 292nd session of the FBI National Academy.
Commander, Administrative Bureau:
Deputy Chief Gale Higginbotham
Gale.Higginbotham@GwinnettCounty.com
Deputy Chief Gale Higginbotham grew up in Gwinnett County and graduated from Meadowcreek High School. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Georgia. Deputy Chief Higginbotham earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University in 2011. In 2014, she graduated from the 258th Session of the FBI National Academy.
Deputy Chief Higginbotham graduated from the 37th Gwinnett County Police Academy in 1996 and began her career the same year. During her career, she's worked in the Uniform Division at every rank to include major. Deputy Chief Higginbotham worked as a DUI Task Force officer, a detective and later a sergeant in the Criminal Investigation Division. She has also worked as the assistant commander of the Special Operations Section where she oversaw operations for the Motor Unit, Accident Investigation Unit, Red Light Camera Unit, School Crossing Guards, and the Crime Prevention Unit.
Deputy Chief Higginbotham served as a major for more than seven years, police academy director for two years, and commander of both our West and East Precincts. Prior to her current assignment, Deputy Chief Higginbotham led the Criminal Investigation Division for two years which includes the Criminal Investigations Section, Crime Scene Investigations, and the Special Investigations Section.
Commander, Uniform Division:
Assistant Chief Chris Smith
Chris.Smith@GwinnettCounty.com
Assistant Chief Christopher Smith began his career with the Gwinnett County Police Department in December 1999 after honorably serving in the United States Air Force. He was a member of the 46th Gwinnett County Police Academy and he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration.
Assistant Chief Smith served in numerous units in the Police Department including CRT, Gangs, Crime Suppression, Quality of Life, Special Victims, and Homicide Unit. He has also commanded the Special Operations Section overseeing the Aviation, K9, Accident Investigation, DUI, Motors, and Crime Prevention Units. Smith served as the Central Precinct Commander handling the day-to-day operations of a 70-square-mile area including the county’s most populous retail and entertainment district, a robust hospitality industry and two Community Improvement Districts. Prior to assuming command of the Uniform Division, he served as Commander of the Criminal Investigations Section.
Assistant Chief Smith has earned several certifications from the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council including Intermediate, Advanced, Supervision, Management, Field Training Officer, and Senior Training Instructor.
Commander, Criminal Investigations Section:
Assistant Chief Jason Rozier
Jason.Rozier@GwinnettCounty.com
Assistant Chief Jason Rozier grew up in Gwinnett County and graduated from Parkview High School in Lilburn. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice & Sociology he returned to Gwinnett and applied for the Gwinnett County Police Department. He was hired in 2001 and graduated from the 52nd Gwinnett County Police Academy.
During his career, Assistant Chief Rozier has worked in various components of the police department to include Uniform patrol, the Special Operations Section, the Special Investigations Section, the Criminal Investigations Section, and the Office of Professional Standards. Assistant Chief Rozier proudly served on SWAT for over 10 years until he retired as a team leader upon his appointment to Major in 2017. Assistant Chief Rozier is honored to serve on the Executive Council for the Special Olympics of Georgia Law Enforcement Torch Run and the board of directors for the Operation One Voice, whose mission is to support wounded and fallen special operations forces soldiers and their families.
Assistant Chief Rozier has previously served as the Quality of Life Unit Manager, the South Precinct Commander, the Special Operations Section Commander, and the Chief of Staff.
Assistant Chief Rozier has earned more than 4,500 hours of law enforcement related training and holds several accreditations from the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council to include General & Firearms Instructor, Advanced, Supervisory, and Managerial certifications. He is a graduate of Session Two of the Gwinnett County Internal Management Academy and Session 284 of the FBI National Academy.
Commander, Training Division:
Assistant Chief Everett Spellman
Everett.Spellman@GwinnettCounty.com
Assistant Chief Everett Spellman began his career with Gwinnett County January 1998. He was a member of the 40th Police Academy. He has earned promotions at regular intervals and has worked in several specialized units including, CRT, Gangs, Crime Suppression, DUI, K-9, and SWAT. Assistant Chief Spellman also worked in the Administrative Service Division as an Assistant Training Academy Director. Prior to assuming command of the Support Operations Division, he served as Commander of the West Precinct where he reduced crime through several Community Outreach Initiatives and Special Operation details.
Assistant Chief Spellman has earned several certifications from The Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council, including: Intermediate, Advanced, Supervision, Management, General Instructor, Senior Instructor, Driver Training Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Speed Detection Instructor and Field Training Officer and has obtained more than 5,375 hours of basic and specialized training. Assistant Chief Spellman holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and in 2017 obtained a master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University.
Assistant Chief, Support Operations Division:
Assistant Chief Chris Long
Assistant Chief Chris Long began his career with the Gwinnett County Police Department in 1996 after graduating from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He graduated from the 36th Gwinnett County Police Academy.
Assistant Chief Long has worked in numerous areas of the department, to include Special Investigations, Quality of Life, and Training. In 2019 he was promoted to major, where he commanded the Central Precinct and the Office of Professional Standards. After serving as chief of staff, in 2023 he was promoted to assistant chief.
Assistant Chief Long graduated from the 278th session of the FBI National Academy and the University of Georgia Local Government Executive Leadership course. He has earned numerous certifications through the Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training Council, to include management, general instructor, firearms instructor, driver training instructor, and level III senior instructor.
