Athens-Clarke County’s Police Chief is stepping down. A release from the county information office states Chief Cleveland Spruill has announced his retirement from law enforcement and resignation as Police Chief effective March 10, 2022. Spruill was appointed to the position by Manager Blaine Williams in February 2019. He said the decision was not an easy one.
"This decision is not made lightly," says Spruill. "It has been a privilege to work with the Athens-Clarke County community and the fine men and women of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. However, I have decided to end my law enforcement career and move home to Maryland to spend time enjoying retirement with family and friends."
An Army veteran, Spruill has spent nearly 35 years in law enforcement.
Williams will appoint an Interim Police Chief in the coming weeks until a permanent replacement is named after a national search.