The city of Sugar Hill announced at its monthly council meeting on Monday night, Sept. 13, 2021, that it has created the first-ever department of public safety. Mayor Steve Edwards introduced the new city marshal and the director of public safety, Diane King.
King is a 20-year resident of the city of Sugar Hill, as well as a 20-year veteran of the Gwinnett County Police Department. She recently announced her retirement from Gwinnett PD and she takes on her new role in Sugar Hill on Oct. 4. King has been a staple at city events as hired security.
“Sugar Hill is such a special place,” King said. “I look forward to dedicating myself to the city of Sugar Hill as I have in year’s past to the Gwinnett County Police Department. There are so many things our residents, from toddlers to retirees, can do and I want to make sure all get to enjoy the investments this city has made to improve their quality of life.”
The Sugar Hill Department of Public Safety will eventually include four additional public safety officers and an administrative assistant. Vehicles are being purchased for the new employees. The expense of the new department has been thoroughly anticipated and was included in the city’s annual budget.
City leaders wish to make the role of the new department and its officers clear.
“Its mission is not about writing tickets or speed enforcement,” the city said in a statement. “It is about community policing, coordinating city-wide emergency operations and providing an enhanced level of public safety in our downtown, parks, greenway and neighborhoods.”
As the director of the public safety department, King will supervise the other four officers, as well as handle the activities of the city’s new security contractor, Insight Protection Services. She will also be the direct liaison between the city and the Gwinnett County Police Department, as well as other area agencies.
“We look forward to Diane joining the Sugar Hill team. All of us know her from her service to Gwinnett as a sergeant in the North Precinct, but also her commitment to the community through her volunteer work with the Lanier Athletic Association,” Edwards said. “She lives in Sugar Hill, volunteers here, goes to church here and most importantly, understands the vision this city council has for the future of our great city.”
King has been an active member of the Sugar Hill community as she runs the Lanier Athletic Association softball program, as well as coaches fastpitch softball. She is a member of Sugar Hill Church and in her free time enjoys spending time with her family.
Sugar Hill council member Marc Cohen was announced as the council liaison to the new public safety department. The announcement also came during the Sept. 13 council meeting.
Featured photo above: Council member Taylor Anderson, council member Marc Cohen, council member Nic Greene, Director of Public Safety and City Marshal Diane King, Mayor Steve Edwards, council member Susie Walker and city manager Paul Radford pose for a photo on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, at Sugar Hill City Hall to mark the beginning of the new department of public safety. Photo courtesy of the city of Sugar Hill.
