MPSA program provides Austell police chief new perspectives on public safety administration, leadership

July 17, 2026

When Shameta Jones-Harrell was sworn in as police chief of Austell, Georgia, in June 2025, she became the first woman to hold the position there and in all of Cobb County. While this achievement marks a significant milestone in her 25-year career, she continues to prioritize her personal and professional development as a Columbus State graduate student.

As part of her growth, she is pursuing a master of public safety administration degree through CSU’s Command College. She began her studies in 2024 and plans to graduate this December. For Jones-Harrell, an MPSA is not just a checkbox; it’s a purposeful effort to enhance her leadership, shape organizational culture and create a legacy.

“The MPSA program has broadened my perspective,” Jones-Harrell explained. “In law enforcement, we sometimes view things linearly, but this program teaches you to process situations and operations through an executive leadership lens, drawing on administrative, logistical, and emotional intelligence perspectives. It enables you to see the bigger picture.”

Managing a modern police department calls for more than just tactical skills; it requires leadership insight, analytical ability and knowledge of organizational psychology. Jones-Harrell noted that Columbus State’s MPSA program effectively connects practical field experience with higher-level leadership development. Dr. Billy Mixon, director of the Command College and himself a certified law enforcement officer and public safety training professional, said that approach is intentional.

“Our Command College curriculum at Columbus State equips public safety leaders to think strategically about the future and to shape it,” Mixon (picutred) explained. “Through an intensive, graduate-level program, our students gain the advanced leadership, management and problem-solving skills needed to address the complex challenges facing law enforcement and public safety today and tomorrow.”

In October 2000, Jones-Harrell pinned on her first badge upon joining the College Park, Georgia, Police Department. Over the following 13 years, she developed a strong operational background, working as a patrol officer, field training officer, SWAT team member, and a detective focused on crimes against children—ultimately achieving a promotion to sergeant.

In 2013, she joined the Brookhaven, Georgia, Police Department and was pivotal in building the agency from the ground up. During her time there, she advanced to lieutenant and then major, oversaw Support Services, promoted community-oriented policing initiatives and adopted modern policing technologies within the department.

Her established record of operational excellence and strategic insight attracted the interest of then-Austell Police Chief Scott Hamilton. In August 2022, she joined the Austell PD as deputy chief and fostered the department’s openness to modernization. When Hamilton stepped down, Jones-Harrell was the natural choice to take the helm, officially becoming chief in June 2025.

Balancing leading and learning

For an executive such as Jones-Harrell—who is balancing a demanding public safety role while raising two boys—the Command College’s structure has been incredibly helpful. It is organized around cohorts of up to 25 students representing various career stages, ranks and law enforcement agencies.

“The cohort model helps you build a network of peers facing similar challenges. This network includes individuals from various law enforcement agencies across Georgia, not just police departments. We support one another, study together, communicate in group chats, and share ideas,” she said.

The curriculum, from useful refreshers to new viewpoints and emerging best practices, guides her daily work in Austell. The strategic planning, policy development and organizational management skills she’s already gained through her Command College studies serve as an ongoing resource for her goals as chief.

“I am learning best practices from knowledgeable instructors with significant field experience who can present material in practical ways that enable students to apply it in their own style,” Jones-Harrell added. “The concepts I learned in class on Friday are immediately applicable in my department the following week. Whether the topic is budget management, human resources, or policy development, the curriculum directly supports the daily operations of a police agency.”

She specifically cited the program’s balance between on-campus and remote learning. MPSA students spend one week on campus for each scheduled class.  Each class requires reading assignments, projects and papers that are completed outside the classroom. She described the program as “a perfect fit” for her and her classmates—most of whom, like her, are balancing full-time duties in demanding roles alongside family responsibilities, professional development obligations and advancement goals.

“It’s an experience that you can’t replicate anywhere else,” she said, contrasting how her experience in the Command College classroom rivals that of the law enforcement seminars and conferences she’s attended. “I’m certain you won’t find this kind of education, delivered in this way, anywhere else in Georgia that truly fits the needs of law enforcement.”

One of Jones-Harrell’s primary organizational objectives in Austell is shifting the internal culture to emphasize retention, open communication and leadership development. Her academic studies have deeply reinforced her philosophy on internal growth. Her goal is to build an environment where every officer feels supported, utilizing tools ranging from the department’s Peer Support program to direct, individual mentorship.

“My goal is to prepare the next generation of leaders, so when I eventually move on, the department will be in good hands,” she explained. “The MPSA program has helped me mentor my staff better and support them in reaching their potential.”

For law enforcement professionals hesitating to take the leap into graduate-level education, Jones-Harrell offers straightforward, encouraging counsel. She views the MPSA program as an essential investment in one’s leadership capability and long-term career trajectory.

“To anyone in law enforcement considering the MPSA program, I say: do not wait. Take the leap,” she advised. “The knowledge and perspective you gain will transform your leadership. This experience challenges you to grow, expands your capabilities, and prepares you for the highest levels of command.”

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Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR