Longtime Conyers Police Chief Gene Wilson retires, Scott Freeman named successor

CONYERS, GA–After 52 years of law enforcement service, nearly 12 as City of Conyers Police Chief, Gene Wilson has retired

Scott Freeman, who has served as deputy chief of police for four years, has been named his successor to lead the Conyers Police Department.

“Chief Wilson’s service as chief to the citizens of Conyers came at a critical time in our city’s history as far as growth and in successfully policing and managing crime,” said City Manager Tony Lucas. “We cannot thank him enough for his service to our city, as well as his stellar career in law enforcement serving so many throughout the state.”

Wilson began his law enforcement career in 1971 with the Atlanta Police Department while a student at Georgia State University. He completed his Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and attended the 119th session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy (FBINA) in Quantico, Virginia. Over the years, Wilson has served in several notable capacities for the following agencies: DeKalb County Police Department, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Police Department, the Sandy Springs Police Department, the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Conyers Police Department.

Under Wilson’s leadership at the CPD, the Conyers Police Department has become both a state certified police agency and internationally certified agency through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The CPD has been reaccredited twice by CALEA during Wilson’s tenure with the most recent occurring in November 2019. At that time, the department was awarded CALEA’s highest honor of being reaccredited with excellence.

Freeman was appointed Conyers police chief effective July 1, 2022. Freeman’s history with the Conyers Police Department began when he joined the Conyers Police Explorers as a high school freshman. Upon graduation, he began working full time for the city as a communications operator and then worked his way up in rank to the position of major. During his law enforcement career, Freeman has served in a variety of capacities and leadership roles including chief deputy sheriff for the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office and chief of police for the Athens-Clarke County Police Department before returning to Conyers in February 2019 to serve as deputy chief.

Over the years in service to the city and CPD, Freeman has earned the following degrees: Associate of Science in criminal justice, Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership, Master of public administration, graduate certificate in criminal justice education and a Doctorate in public policy and administration with a specialization in public safety management and leadership. He was a delegate to the 17th Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE) Delegation to Israel in 2009, and in 2012, he graduated from the 248th session of the FBINA.

“Chief Freeman’s dedication and commitment to both the city and the police department are cornerstones of his successes,” said Lucas. “I have no doubt he will continue to faithfully serve and protect the citizens in this well-earned capacity as chief of police to the best of his ability.”