(Marietta, Ga. – May 29, 2015) Chattahoochee Technical College welcomed one of its own as the new chief of police when Charles Spann was sworn in on Friday. Spann, who was originally hired as one of the department’s officers a little more than four years ago, accepted the position to succeed retired Chief Darrell Streefkerk.
“Ever since he arrived at Chattahoochee Technical College, he has invested his time and heart into the department,” said Director of Public Safety Willis Wade. “He was instrumental in helping us move from a security based department to a recognized and certified police department. He readily took on the challenge of setting up the areas of communications and records, as well as developing them to the point that they are fully operational now.”
With a career that started during his years in the United States Air Force, he has experience both in the military and local law enforcement. That experience includes 26 years with the Cobb County Police Department and his most recent tenure at the Powder Springs Police Department.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Spann’s experience includes such areas as investigations in the following areas; crimes against children, crimes against property, Internal Affairs and pre-employment background. Along with his Master Instructor’s license with the Air Force, he holds POST certifications as an instructor, Departmental Training Officer and Public Information Officer. He has served as Chattahoochee Technical College Department Training Officer, Records Administrator, Communications Administrator, Public Information Officer and TAC (Terminal Agency Coordinator). His plans for leading the college’s police department are to continue building on the foundation established by Streefkerk and Wade.
“I want to continue the great job that was done by both the Chief and the Director,” said Spann. “They have established a firm foundation for us to use to continue in the areas of public service, training and morale.”
Spann said that one of the challenges of college police departments is that the work can be quite different from that of local law enforcement agencies. While public safety is the primary function of the department, it is also necessary to create a pleasant environment for faculty, staff, students and visitors to any of Chattahoochee Technical College’s eight campuses.
“I will be encouraging the officers to be more visible,” Spann said. “It is important that our officers are able to relate to all of our faculty, staff and students.”
Currently the Chattahoochee Technical College Police Department includes nine full-time police officers and 24 part-time police officers, who are augmented by security officers and dispatch. Officers are available at each of the college’s campuses.