Commerce Georgia >> Police

Operations Div.

Criminal Investigations Div.

City of Commerce, Georgia

POLICE DEPARTMENT

1491 South Elm Street; P.O. Box 348

Commerce, Georgia 30529

Non-emergency Phone: 706-335-3200

Chief of Police

John W. Gaissert, Chief of Police

Chief Gaissert's Bio

John has over thirty-five years of military, law enforcement and corporate experience. During his career, he has served with distinction in uniform patrol, special operations and criminal investigation units. During the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, John performed the demanding task of Operations Officer for the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and authored the operational plan supporting the events. He has supervised numerous police functions including Uniform Patrol Watches, Financial & White Collar Crime Unit and School Resource Officer Programs. He has served on the Board of Directors for Rape Crisis, Incorporated, and Peace Place Shelter for Women. He currently serves on the Law Enforcement Advisory Board for Lanier Technical College.

John is an ordained Minister of the Gospel and volunteers as a Police Chaplain. He is a state certified police instructor teaching both in the Georgia Regional Police Academies and as requested by the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. John also attained Level V certification in homeland security from the American College of Forensic Examiners. He serves as the Department of Homeland Security Intelligence Officer for the Sheriff of Jackson County and chairs the county Threat Assessment Committee. John completed a law enforcement exchange program in counter-terrorism with the Israeli National Police and also trained at the University of Tel Aviv. He studied under Dr. Boaz Ganor and was awarded executive certification in counter-terrorism from the Institute for Counter-Terrorism, Lauder School of Government, in Herzliya, Israel. He also has testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Intelligence regarding information and intelligence sharing between local, state and federal agencies. John holds state executive police certification and currently serves as Chief of Police in Commerce, Georgia.

John was recalled to active duty during the Persian Gulf War and retired as a Commander from the United States Navy. He co-hosts a weekly radio and internet talk show, ‘America in Crisis’, on WJJC 1270 AM and WJJC.net, and has a long history of community service. John holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from the University of Georgia and a Master’s Degree in Urban Administration from Georgia State University. He is married to the former Michele Wright of Lincolnton, Georgia, and they have two sons.

Operations Division
Criminal Investigations Division

MISSION STATEMENT

The Commerce Police Department is committed to providing unsurpassed law enforcement and public safety services to all citizens and visitors in the Commerce jurisdiction. Our staff is committed to further enhancing the quality of life in the City of Commerce by the preservation of peace, the guarding of personal rights and liberties, and reduction of crime through the delivery of professional police services. The department's focus is on constantly improving services and professionalism through community policing and effective management. We are a progressive police department practicing twenty-first century law enforcement methods.

OPERATIONAL DATA

The Commerce Police Department is a full service law enforcement agency. Our staff consist of (1) Chief, (2) Captains, (3) Lieutenants, (3) Sergeants, (3) Corporals, (1) School Resource Officer, (1) K-9 Officer, (7) Patrol Officers, (2) Detectives, (4) Researve Officers, (1) Animal Control Officer, (1) Clerk of Court and (4.5) Administrative Clerks.

Several of our officers are state certified police instructors who teach at both the Northeast Georgia Police Academy and the Georgia Police Academy. We sponsor a Boy Scout Explorer Program, participate in numerous civic activities and plan to host a Citizens Police Academy. We are a Community Oriented Police Department that prides itself on the formation of a close community partnership. The central purpose of the Commerce Police Department is to protect and serve you. Please visit our community soon and enjoy the family centered environment.

City of Commerce, Georgia POLICE DEPARTMENT 1491 South Elm Street; P.O. Box 348