Gwinnett County Police Chief Tom Doran, who was appointed in November, plans to retire from the department next month.

Doran said in a Thursday evening email addressed to police personnel that his last day would be July 17.

“This decision was not easy, but I truly feel it is the right time to pass the torch and begin the next chapter of my life,” he wrote. “I have been very fortunate to be a member of this great agency for nearly 27 years and will cherish every experience and memory.”

When he took over the department last year, Doran said building a better relationship with Gwinnett’s diverse populations was a key priority. His predecessor, Butch Ayers, was in the role for five years.

Doran started at the Gwinnett County Police Department in 1993 as an officer. He is the fifth-straight Gwinnett chief to have risen all the way through the ranks.

Gwinnett County spokesman Joe Sorenson said he could not comment on Doran’s reasons for retiring. A police department public information officer did not immediately respond to a request to speak with Doran.

He will be replaced by Brett West, a deputy chief who also began his career with the department. He started in 1991.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Linda Tran works with staff to prepare large platters for each table during the Thanksgiving Celebration at the First Senior Center on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in Norcross, Ga. Linda and her sister Von Tran, who jointly operate the First Senior Center, are refugees with a harrowing survival story of leaving Vietnam as children. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff