Dan Flynn, Marietta Police Chief For 15 Years, To Retire By February; Interim Chief Named

MARIETTA, GA — After 15 years with the Marietta Police Department, Dan Flynn announced Friday that he will retire at the end of the month.

Flynn was appointed chief of MPD Jan. 15, 2007, but started his career in law enforcement in 1973 at the Miami-Dade Police Department, according to a news release. After 27 years, he retired at the rank of Major.

He received numerous awards in Miami and began a successful consulting business before moving to Georgia in 2000 to become the chief of the Savannah Police Department, later the combined Savannah-Chatham Police Department, the release said.

Flynn has been active within the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP) and Rotary International. He was inducted into the International Evidence-Based Policing Hall of Fame in 2010, and was selected as the GACP Chief of the Year for 2010-11 and 2017-18, an honor only held by one other person, according to MPD.

"When asked what he is most proud of during his time here in Marietta, he focused on the cohesive way the entire department has worked together to advance public safety during such a changing environment," the release said. "He cited the creation of numerous programs that both sought to reduce crime as well as unify the residents and business owners with their local law enforcement."

A few of the programs established during Flynn's tenure include the Public Safety Ambassadors (PSA), Pastors Police Academy, Pastors Forum, Canine, Cyber Specialist Unit, Gang Investigation and Jiu Jitsu Training.

Marietta City Manager Bill Bruton has named MPD Deputy Chief Marty Ferrell as the interim chief upon Flynn's departure.