The Newnan Police Department is proud to announce that the Drug and Vice Unit is the recipient of the 2023 “Investigator of the Year Award” for the Western Region of Georgia. This award is generally presented to a single investigator who has performed at an exceptional level amongst his or her peers. This year, due to their collaborative effort, the City’s entire Drug and Vice Unit was honored with the award. Over the past year they participated in significant operations not only within the City of Newnan, but throughout Georgia. Investigations included, but were not limited to, countless hours of surveillance to gather critical evidence in a multitude of investigations, including seven cases involving murders. The Newnan Drug and Vice Unit also participated in numerous public speaking engagements with youth organizations and many other community related events. Chief Blankenship stated, “We are very aware of the ongoing and relentless effort by all of the other comparable units in our region and throughout Georgia who, without a doubt, deserve the same recognition. It is only through our relationships with them and the network of drug and gang investigators across the state that we can accomplish our mission.”
The “Investigator of the Year Award” was presented by Ryan Foles, the Georgia Gang Investigators Association Vice President for the Western Region. Mr. Foles remarked, “Just the top (10) drug investigations they completed yielded 195+ lbs. of cocaine and methamphetamine and over 8,000 fentanyl pills worth over $8,000,000.00. They have recovered (55) firearms during their investigations and sent (22) gang members to jail on serious charges.”
Captain Denver Atwood, who leads the Criminal Investigations Division of the Newnan Police Department shared, “While these numbers are impressive, the most admirable part of what they do is the demonstration of care they provide the members of their community. Under intense scrutiny, the unit continues to provide their citizens with the highest level of professionalism and a fair and impartial enforcement of the law.”