March 22nd, 2023 – 3:50 PM
The Rome News-Tribune –
Rome Police Chief Denise Downer-McKinney was honored by the Georgia Senate in Atlanta with a resolution sponsored by Sen. John Albers, who chairs the public safety committee.
“She is the first female to be named Outstanding Georgia Police Chief of the Year by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police,” the Roswell Republican said in introducing her to the chamber.
Senate Resolution 180 was cosponsored by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, who spoke of Downer-McKinney’s professional background and accomplishments. Then he shared some personal observations about the department she commands, stemming from the summer of unrest in 2020.
Downer-McKinney joined the Rome Police Department in 1985, rose to captain in 1991 and was promoted to major in 2010. She became the city’s first Black chief of police in 2016.
Through the years, she’s graduated from numerous law enforcement leadership programs, including the FBI National Academy, Georgia Law Enforcement Command College, and the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange program. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbus State University.