Wayne Dennard was sworn in on April 19 as the new Acworth police chief, following the resignation of Former Chief Michael Wilkie, who is leaving for a teaching position at Bob Jones University, a Christian university in Greenville, SC.

Dennard has been with the Acworth Police Department for nine years and has held the rank of major more than three years. He holds a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice and has completed his studies to obtain a master's in public administration from Columbus State University.

Dennard is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. He and his wife, Melinda, have been married 17 years, and their daughters, Madelyn and Mallory, attend North Cobb Christian School.