DEMOREST, Ga. — A leadership transition is underway at the Demorest Police Department as outgoing Chief Casey Chastain begins training his immediate successor.
The city has named veteran law enforcement officer Brad Rounds as interim police chief. Chastain, who announced his resignation last week after 12 years with the city, will remain through Oct. 7.
Rounds, a Clermont resident, currently serves as Director of Safety and Security at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, according to his resumé. He served in the National Guard and has 34 years of law enforcement experience with the Hall and Dawson County sheriff’s offices, including 25 years in command-level leadership.
‘Values align’ with city’s expectations
According to Demorest City Manager Mark Musselwhite, Rounds’ experience includes police operations, personnel management, budgeting, community policing, and organizational leadership.
Rounds holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Reinhardt University, graduated from FBI National Academy Session 226, and completed the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Training Program. His service also included membership on the R.E.D.D.O.G. Team, the S.W.A.T. Perimeter Team, and the Honor Guard, the city said.
During his career, Rounds supervised more than 250 law enforcement officers and civilian employees and managed multimillion-dollar budgets.
“Brad has stated that his leadership philosophy is grounded in integrity, accountability, professionalism, and service. Brad also expressed pride in wearing the badge and uniform and in representing the responsibilities that come with both,” Musselwhite wrote in a letter to the Demorest City Council announcing Rounds’ hiring. “These values align with the city’s expectations for leadership and provide a strong foundation for Brad’s interim service to Demorest.”
A department in turmoil
Rounds steps into a department depleted by a series of departures amid months of internal conflict.
Eight officers and three civilian employees have left the department in recent months. In two resignation letters obtained by Now Georgia, Chastain blamed Musselwhite for much of the turmoil and accused city leaders of failing to adequately address his concerns.
An outside administrative investigation earlier this year found there was “clearly a toxic atmosphere” within the department’s civilian office and recommended management address working relationships there. City records also showed Demorest spent more than $1,300 on professional mediation and related services.
Chastain has been working patrol shifts himself and previously told Now Georgia he had discussed contingency coverage with Habersham County Sheriff Robin Krockum.
In an email to Now Georgia on Sept. 28, Musselwhite said the city had received 22 applications for police jobs it posted three days earlier.
The city says Rounds will begin working with a roster of three patrol officers — one school resource officer and two part-time officers. He is expected to spend his first days meeting with department personnel and learning more about its operations.
Rounds officially assumes the interim chief’s role Wednesday, Sept. 30, as he begins the transition with Chastain.
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