Austell Police Chief Scott Hamilton Announces Resignation

Austell Police Chief Scott Hamilton has announced his resignation. The department confirmed his decision Thursday.

Hamilton, 56, explained his departure, stating he believes he has accomplished his goals with the department. “I feel like I’ve done everything I can do in Austell,” Hamilton said. “I’ve reached the ceiling, and I know I’ve got a good group of people here ready to take over… It’s time for me to focus on myself and see where that leads me in the next 10 years.”

Austell has not announced the appointment of an interim chief. According to City Clerk Elizabeth Young, the formal hiring process for a replacement will begin in March after Hamilton’s resignation takes effect.

Hamilton was hired in August 2022 as the city’s first Black police chief, following the departure of his predecessor, Bob Starrett, amid a Georgia Bureau of Investigation probe into discrepancies within the department’s K-9 unit.

Prior to joining the City of Austell, Hamilton spent 27 years with the Cobb County Police Department. His career began in 1995 as a uniform patrol officer, and over the years, he worked with several teams, including the DUI Task Force, Narcotics Team, and Criminal Investigations. He also served as the department’s special operations commander.

In a statement, Hamilton expressed his gratitude: “First, I would like to thank God, my Lord and Savior, for with him, all things are possible. I would like to thank Mayor Ollie Clemons, the Austell City Council, and the loyal citizens of Austell for allowing me to be their Police Chief for the past two and a half years. I’ve decided to step down as the Police Chief. It has been my responsibility to ensure that the safety and quality of life for the citizens of Austell is preserved. I also have a responsibility to my staff to provide an environment for career development, training, and education. I feel I have completed both of those tasks. My command staff is fully prepared to continue the journey we have started to ensure Austell PD is one of the best police departments in the state.”

Hamilton also emphasized that the department is currently undergoing assessment for its first-ever state certification, a goal he had since day one. 

As he prepares to depart, Hamilton expressed pride in the progress the department has made under his leadership, noting that the current state of the department is “night and day” compared to when he first took the role. “To come under that kind of fire and get us to where we are now, I don’t see how anyone could deny the great things we’ve done since I walked in the door,” Hamilton said.Uncertain about his future path, Hamilton plans to remain in law enforcement. For now, he intends to spend more time with his family, take daily walks with his dog, and prepare his fishing rod. “I’m not ready to sit down yet… I still have a little fire in me,” he added. “I’m hoping there’s another law enforcement opportunity out there for me.”

Hamilton’s last day with the department will be March 3.