The Cherokee County School District Police Department has earned State Re-Certification from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.  In July 2006, the School District Police Department achieved State Certification from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, which represents a significant professional achievement and acknowledges implementation of policies and procedures that are conceptually sound and operationally effective.

Of the 30 school system police departments in Georgia, only two (including the CCSD Department) have earned this accreditation.  State certification is available only to agencies that prove their commitment to excellence and professionalism by meeting standards set by the Association.  Participating agencies conduct a thorough self-analysis, and a team of trained assessors verifies that applicable standards have been successfully implemented.  The process culminates with a decision by a joint executive committee that the agency has met the requirements for certification.  

The certification must be reviewed every two years; and the CCSD Department has achieved recertification ever since the initial award, with the most recent renewal approved this summer. In recognition of this achievement, the Association presents State Certification plaques to successful agencies.

The CCSD Department is led by Chief Mark Kissel, and Officer John Edgar is the Certification Manager.