MARIETTA, GA — Marietta City Council unanimously approved Daniel W. Flynn today as Marietta’s next police chief. Flynn retired as chief of the Savannah-Chatham, Ga., Metropolitan Police Department, where he worked from 2000-06. He worked for the Miami-Dade, Fla., Police Department from 1973-2000 and attained the rank of major. He is currently a homeland security consultant and recently assisted MARTA with disaster planning and training exercises.
Flynn will fill the vacancy created when Police Chief Bobby Moody retired in July. Marietta Deputy Police Chief David Beam did not apply for the position, but has led the department as its interim chief.
“Marietta has one of the best police departments in Georgia because of the leadership of Bobby Moody and David Beam,” City Manager Bill Bruton said. “We’re excited to welcome Dan Flynn to the Marietta team. His vast experience and education will help take our department to the next level and continue the great reputation we have.”
After a national search, interviews and a screening process determined 56 applicants were qualified for the police chief position. A panel — made of Bruton, the city’s personnel director, the assistant to the city manager, three Georgia police chiefs and a major — recently interviewed eight finalists.
“We were impressed with the quality of all the applicants,” Bruton said. “This pool of finalists was one of the most qualified we’ve had for any city position, and we appreciate the assistance the interview panel provided the city.”
While Flynn led the Savannah-Chatham police, the countywide municipal department reduced violent crime by half and produced the lowest crime rate in 27 years. Flynn commanded operations for the international Group of Eight (G-8) Summit, an annual meeting of the leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. He also created a high-risk offender reentry program that is a model for other communities.
“Dan’s success in reducing crime in Savannah and encouraging continuing education for police officers will work well for Marietta,” Bruton said. “His ideas and experience implementing an initiative similar to our M-STAR crime-fighting program will add to our great programs and expand our effectiveness.”
During his tenure with the Miami-Dade, Fla., Police Department, Flynn commanded the SWAT team as well as the aviation, marine, mounted, motorcycle, canine, DUI and hit and run patrols. He also commanded the department’s internal affairs function and led the narcotics bureau. Flynn directed public safety planning and operations for the 1999 Super Bowl and 1997 World Series as well as the response during and after Hurricane Andrew.
“It is an honor and privilege to be selected to lead the men and women of the Marietta Police Department,” Flynn said. “My first order of business will be to get to know the community and let them know me.”
In Savannah, Flynn was involved in the community and helped plan the Martin Luther King Jr. festival and organize an annual breakfast for community and business members during the week.
“I believe in being engaged in all facets of the community,” Flynn said. “My most important priorities, which are the most fundamental, are to reduce crime and use the police department to enhance the quality of life in Marietta.”
Flynn graduated from the FBI National Academy and Senior Management Institute for Police. He earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Saint Thomas University in Florida and a master’s degree in public administration from Florida International University.
Flynn is a member of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police and Rotary International.
The Marietta Police Department employs 137 sworn officers and 32 civilians.
Under Moody’s leadership, the department implemented the M-STAR crime-fighting program that contributed to a 22 percent decline in crime and was an integral part of Marietta receiving the All-America City award in June as one of the 10 best communities in the nation. Marietta is the first Georgia city in 30 years to win the award.
The department won the 2006 Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Curtis McClung Award of Excellence for its efforts in the community with the M-STAR program.
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