Mary Heath Williford

Jefferson,Georgia

Summary

Dynamic law enforcement leader with over 25 years of progressive experience in command-level roles within a large school police department, overseeing safety operations for more than 140 schools. Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, emergency management, and program development that enhances compliance, boosts operational performance, and fosters enduring community trust. Committed to creating safe educational environments through innovative solutions and proactive engagement.

Overview

years of professional experience

Certification

Work History

Captain / Assistant Director

Gwinnett School Police

Suwanee, GA

09.2013 - Current

Command safety and security operations across a district of 140+ schools, overseeing a department of 130 sworn officers and 20 civilian personnel
Provides executive-level leadership to 6 Lieutenants and 11 Sergeants, ensuring consistent supervision, accountability, and operational effectiveness
Oversees law enforcement operations and incident response for multiple school campuses, enhancing safety protocols by implementing proactive safety initiatives tailored to their needs.
Designed, implemented and currently oversees a district-wide unarmed security program, managing external vendor partnerships and supervising over 100 contracted School Safety Officers
Developed, implemented and currently monitors training programs and evaluation criteria for 130+ sworn and non-sworn personnel to enhance operational effectiveness and accountability.
Collaborates with district leadership, school administrators, and local law enforcement agencies to develop safety protocols and conduct emergency response drills, enhancing preparedness across the school district
Manages staffing, scheduling, and resource allocation to ensure efficient coverage and rapid response across a geographically dispersed district
Designs and standardizes processes and procedures in alignment with district AKS standards, resulting in improved compliance, consistency, tracking and community engagement

Sergeant

Norcross Police Department

Norcross, GA

01.2001 - 08.2013

Coordinated and executed public safety operations for large-scale community events, ensuring safe environments while fostering strong relationships with residents and stakeholders
Organized and facilitated annual departmental training for 46 sworn officers, ensuring compliance with state standards and readiness in critical skills
Launched and facilitated Neighborhood Watch and PACT (Police And Citizens Together) programs along with Citizen Police Academies that boosted community attendance and improved officer visibility in local events.
Conducted physical security assessments for businesses and community sites, providing actionable recommendations to reduce risk at those locations
Led vice operations and targeted enforcement initiatives addressing prostitution and drug related activities in the city limits, resulting in a decrease in reported incidents.

Education

Masters Degree - Public Safety Administration

Columbus State University

Columbus, GA

05-2023

Bachelor's Degree - Criminal Justice

Fort Hays State University

Hays, KS

12-2013

Associate's Degree - Criminal Justice

Gwinnett Technical College

Lawrenceville, GA

12-2006

Skills

Strong organizational and time management skills
Leads by example with honesty, integrity and transparency
Driven, results-focused collaborator; adaptable and flexible

Strong written and verbal communicator; thoughtful, composed and well-informed
Forward-thinking leader with confidence and determination to tackle new challenges
Passionate about sharing knowledge and mentoring others