A newly promoted College Park law enforcement professional has made history three times with her most recent advancement.
Sharis McCrary became interim deputy police chief by appointment from Interim Police Chief Ferman Williford on Aug. 13.
She is the city’s first female to hold that rank, according to a news release.
Additionally, in 2011 McCrary became the only female on College Park’s SWAT team and in 2016, became the city’s first African-American female police lieutenant.
McCrary, in her late 30s, describes herself as “happily married to my career,” one that saw her rise through the ranks.
She started as a patrol officer and became a criminal investigator and detective.
Earning her sergeant stripes in 2013, McCrary returned to patrol and became the supervisor of community-oriented police in 2015.
Although not a city resident, she has deep roots in the area, starting her 17-year career with the police force in July 2001.
“I have always been active in the community and will continue to do so,” McCrary said.
She said she is both excited and “very humbled” by her new role.
It is one in which McCrary said she plans strengthening the department’s communication and outreach through channels like social media, civic group meetings and school visits.
“I look forward to personal engagement with the citizens, visitors and city coworkers,” McCrary said.
She said she and her coworkers are united in a drive to improve operations and help the city as a whole.
“We will press forward with our efforts to strengthen our police department as we are focused on becoming the model city of distinction,” McCrary said.
Along with her duties, she is pursuing a degree in criminal justice at a satellite campus of St. Leo University.
McCrary said she and Williford work well together on the 104-officer police force.
He, in turn, praised her leadership skills and said he looks forward to her “proactive, hands-on approach.”
The ultimate objective, he said, is reducing crime.
“One of our primary goals is to strengthen our partnership with our community. We have a strong relationship already, but we believe we can improve and Sharis McCrary with her experience in our community is perfect to lead in that effort,” Williford said. “Her experience in the College Park Police Department with her various roles over her tenure has prepared her for this step.”
He has been with the city police department for over 33 years.
Like McCrary, Williford ascended through increasing levels of responsibility, according to biographical information, and has studied at St. Leo University.
He has also done course work at Columbus State and Liberty universities.
For more information on the police department, visit https://bit.ly/2NfNY7e.
College Park continues its search to replace former Police Chief Keith Meadows, who became the city of South Fulton’s police chief in July.
Fairburn also has a new police chief in Stoney Mathis, who was sworn in on Sept. 10.
His replacement in Chattahoochee Hills is U.S. Navy veteran Jim Little, formerly an Alpharetta police lieutenant.