Chief Terrell Bolton was appointed Chief of Police for the DeKalb County Police Department in December 2006. DeKalb has a police force of more than 1,200 dedicated men and women, serving a county population of more than 700,000 citizens.

Prior to accepting the position in DeKalb County, Chief Bolton served as the first African- American Chief of Police for the City of Dallas, Texas, with a police force of approximately 3,500 employees.

During his tenure in Dallas, Chief Bolton is credited with implementing the city’s Police Mobile Storefront Program and revitalizing its Community Policing Program. He was also very active in civic organizations and community programs. One of his shining accomplishments was having successfully led the effort to revitalize an equestrian program for disadvantaged youth in the West Dallas area. Throughout his 27-year career in law enforcement, Chief Bolton has received various honors and awards, including being named the South Dallas Business and Professional Woman’s Club Man of the Year in 1992, the Police Commendation Award, as well as a litany of other service-related commendations.

His meticulous philosophy for quality improvement and spirit for service has followed him to his current assignment. Within the first week of his appointment in DeKalb County, Chief Bolton has implemented a comprehensive Multi-Jurisdictional Monitoring Policy to ensure preservation of life and officer safety.

A Mississippi native, Chief Bolton attended Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and holds a plethora of certifications in public administration and management continuums. He is a member of the Jackson State Alumni Association and the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

Chief Bolton and his wife Glenda are the proud parents of two daughters, ages 13 and 15 and an adult son from a previous marriage.