Cobb County, Ga. looking for new police chief

Screen shot from Department website.

After serving the Cobb County Police Department for 32 years and being chief since 2010, John Houser will be retiring, effective Jan. 27. A Cobb resident for nearly 40 years, Houser also is the founder and race director for the Cobb County Make-A-Wish 5K.


In 2013, two African American police lieutenants filed a federal lawsuit against Houser and the Cobb County Police Department claiming discrimination in promotions. Craig Owens was awarded $150,000 and a promotion to captain, according to the settlement agreement obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution under Georgia’s Open Records Act. Owens is now over Animal Control and is still a member of the military. It is unclear the outcome of the other lawsuit.

An interim chief will be named before Houser officially leaves. Cobb County will be in need of extra law enforcement leadership with the new Braves stadium set to open in Cobb by 2017.

To apply for this position, go to www.CobbCounty.PeopleAdmin.com.