Two Gainesville police officers have been promoted, including one to Deputy Chief, according to Chief Jay Parrish.
Parrish says John Robertson is the new Deputy Chief and Lt. Kevin Gaddis has been promoted to Captain. Each promotion is effective March 25.
ABOUT DEPUTY CHIEF JOHN ROBERTSON
John Robertson is a native of Jackson County, but a resident of Gainesville for the past 24 years. He is married to wife Kelley and they have two sons, Sam and Luke. He began his law enforcement career with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in 1989 and served there until joining Gainesville in 1994. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University. He is a graduate of the 246th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. In addition to his basic peace officer certification from the Northeast Georgia Police Academy in Athens, Robertson obtained his intermediate, advanced, supervisory, and management certifications from the Georgia P.O.S.T. council, along with completion of the Chief Executive Leadership course with the Georgia Chief’s Association. He is assuming the post held by Parrish before he was named Chief last December.
ABOUT CAPT. KEVIN GADDIS
Kevin Gaddis is a native of Habersham County where he resides with his wife Theresa. He has two adult children Blake and Bailey who are also in public safety as a State Trooper and a Gwinnett County Firefighter. He attended Habersham Central High School, Northeast Georgia Police Academy, and Lanier Technical College. He has held public office where he received training from the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute in leadership and management. He has worked for the City of Gainesville Police Department for 23 1/2 years and has a total of nearly 29 years of law enforcement experience. Gaddis has served as a supervisor and manager in multiple areas of the Gainesville Police Department during his tenure.
