Butch Ayers new Gwinnett County police chief

Gwinnett County has named a new police chief to replace the retiring chief, Charlie Walters.

A.A. “Butch” Ayers will take over the role Oct. 25. Walters is retiring after 35 years with the department.

Ayers, a 30-year-veteran of the Gwinnett Police Department, began his law enforcement career with the county. He is currently an assistant chief in the department and commands the administrative services division. Ayers has also overseen professional standards, SWAT, the Central Police Precinct, and the support, operations, criminal investigations and uniform divisions.

A Dacula resident, he has an associate degree in criminal justice from Gainesville State College, a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia and a Masters of Public Administration from Columbus State University.

Ayers also is a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College and the FBI National Academy.

County commissioners will vote on his appointment Tuesday.

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