Gary Sparks Named Douglasville's First African-American Police Chief

Note: This article has been updated with additional info.

The city of Douglasville has a new police chief after City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Gary Sparks at a special meeting Thursday night.

Sparks, the former deputy chief, is the city’s first African-American chief. He has been with Douglasville PD since 1987 when he was hired as a patrol officer.

He replaces former chief Chris Womack, who retired at the end of August.

“I did not hesitate in deciding who I would recommend to the City Council to be the new Police Chief/Marshall in the City of Douglasville,” Mayor Harvey Persons said in a statement. “I already knew Gary Sparks was well qualified, would be dedicated to taking this Police Department to new heights, would be warmly received and positively accepted by the men and women who form Douglasville’s law enforcement department.”

Persons’ recommendation was unanimously approved by the seven-member council.

• See video of the nomination and vote

Sparks had been the deputy chief for six years and was acting chief after Womack’s retirement. He will lead a force of 95 officers and almost 30 other employees, the city said.

According to biographical info from the city, Sparks began his career as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army after becoming the first African-American from Douglasville to become a commissioned officer.

After joining the force in 1987, he was promoted to the rank of detective, served on the United States Drug Enforcement Agency’s Crack and Violent Crimes Task Force for three years, and promoted to lieutenant in 1994. He established the department’s Special Operations Unit, which investigated drug and gang activity in Douglasville.

In 1997, he established and directed the Police Department’s SWAT team, which responds to high risk and hostage situations. In 2006, he started Youth Against Violence (YAV), a highly acclaimed proactive program aimed at gang prevention and youth violence.

Sparks was named deputy chief in 2009.

Sparks earned his B.S. Degree in Criminal Justice in 1981 from Fort Valley State College, and his M.S. Degree in Justice Administration from Columbus College in 1993. He is a 2011 graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Photo: Douglasville PD Facebook