New Lavonia Police Chief to be Sworn In Wednesday

Lavonia’s incoming Chief of Police is scheduled to be sworn in early Wednesday at the Lavonia Employee Breakfast.

At the City Council meeting earlier this month, the Council and Mayor Courtney Umbehant named Shane Edmisten as the new Chief to succeed former Chief Bruce Carlisle who retired last November.

Edminsten is coming to Lavonia from his most recent post as the Chief of Police in Douglas, Georgia.

Umbehant said he believes Edminsten is the right man to lead the force into the future.

“I think Chief Edmisten will be an asset, will bring a lot of positive change to the Department, and help the Department build towards the future,” Umbehant said. “He’s very accomplished. He puts a lot of emphasis on training. He has a humble demeanor, which goes a long way when you’re dealing with people in a small town. He struck me as the type of person who really believes in investing in his officers and helping them find opportunities for advancement and continued training.”

Edmisten was born and raised in Buford, GA, and is a 1991 graduate of North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee.

He attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College where he earned his Associate,s Degree in Criminal Justice and his GA POST peace officer certification.

Edmisten began his career at the Suwanee Police Department as a part-time dispatcher in 1993 before going to work with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office in 1994.

He then returned to the Suwanee Police Department later that year and worked as a Patrol Officer, Detective, and Sergeant, and retired as a Captain in 2019.

While employed with the Suwanee Police Department, Chief Edmisten earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and his Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University through the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College.

He also attended the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP) New Chiefs School.

Edmisten is a POST-Certified Instructor and has obtained his Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, Management, and Executive POST Certificates.

He is also a member of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

He also serves as a team leader for the GACP State Certification program.

Chief Edmisten is married to his wife Michelle Edmisten and they have two adult children, Dakota Groover, and McKenzie Edmisten.