The city of Sandy Springs is reorganizing its public safety department and has promoted Police Chief Terry Sult to a newly created oversight position.
Deputy Police Chief Kenneth DeSimone is being promoted to police chief.
In his new job as director of public safety, Sult will oversee local emergency management response protocol, coordinate with state and federal agencies and other municipalities and command the city’s emergency operations center, the city said in a press release March 26.
“I look forward to the opportunity to work across the range of public safety and emergency services in furthering those efforts,” Sult said in the release.
Here’s the city’s press release:
The city of Sandy Springs today announced the creation of a new position within its Public Safety and Fire Rescue Services. Promoted to the role will be Terry Sult, the city’s current police chief.
In his new role, Sult will serve as a senior adviser to the city manager, police and fire chiefs on matters related to public safety and emergency services.
Sult will have oversight of the city’s local emergency management response protocol, including coordination with state and federal agencies and cooperative efforts between municipalities; command of the city’s emergency operations center; and ensure that the city codes are compliant with best practices for all hazards emergencies to include weather, mass casualty, epidemics and civil unrest.
The director of public safety will coordinate budget and resource allocation requests between Police, Fire and EMS, as well as oversee the city’s efforts in researching and integrating next generation public safety and emergency services technology. The Director of Public Safety will serve as the lead on special projects including the city’s upgrade of its public safety radio systems.
“The safety of those who reside, work or visit our city is our top priority. In creating this position, we are able to foster a higher degree of communication and interoperability among our public safety departments,” said Sandy Springs City Manager John McDonough. “Terry’s extensive background in public safety services makes him an excellent candidate for this position.”
“The city’s leadership has long given us the latitude to be innovative with our efforts in ensuring the safety of our citizens. I look forward to the opportunity to work across the range of public safety and emergency services in furthering those efforts,” added Sult.
To fill the role of police chief, the city announced it has promoted Deputy Police Chief Kenneth DeSimone.
DeSimone came to Sandy Springs from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. DeSimone has a B.S. Degree in police administration from the University of Louisville. He is a graduate of the National FBI Academy and USMC Command and Staff College. He received the 1999 Police Medal of Valor from Charlotte Mecklenburg Police and the 2003 FBI Director’s Award for Outstanding Counterterrorism Investigation.
DeSimone also serves in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve where he holds the rank of Colonel. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a senior police advisor.
“The fact that we are able to fill these important, high-level positions with existing staff is testament to the level of talent the city enjoys,” added McDonough.
A pinning ceremony to recognize both appointments will take place during the City Council’s next meeting on April 2, 2013 at Sandy Springs City Hall, located at 7840 Roswell Road, Suite 500, Sandy Springs, Ga., 30350.