Michael J. Persley was promoted to the rank of Chief on May 23, 2015.He has been employed with the Albany Police Department for 30 yearsand has held numerous positions within the department. Hewaspreviouslythe Gang UnitCommander, EastDistrictPolice Commander,and AssistantCommanderofthe Albany-Dougherty Metro SWAT Teamwhere he has served as an entry team member, assistant team leader,team leader and negotiations commander. His otherassignmentshaveincludedworkinginnarcotics,generalandganginvestigations.Chief Persley holds a Master Degree in Administration/Justice andSecurity from University of Phoenix, a Bachelor Degree in CriminalJusticefromTroyUniversityandanAssociateDegreeinCriminalJusticefrom Darton College. Chief Persley has over 2800 hours of basic andadvanced police training. He is a graduate of the IACP Leadership inPolice Organization and the Northwestern School of Police Staff andCommand. He is a member of the Georgia Association Chiefs of Policewhere he serves as a District Representative and the InternationalAssociation Chiefs of Police where he serves on the Board of Directors.He serves on several community boards and committees to includeStop the Violence and the Dougherty County Rotary Club.Chief Persley is retired from the Georgia Army National Guard andserved for over 22 years. He was an enlisted soldier and latercommissionedasanofficer.HeheldtherankofCaptainathistimeofretirement. He served this country on deployments toBosnia-Hercegovina, Iraq and Afghanistan.
