Chief Jason Parker (left) speaks to new Officer Mollie Parker before presenting her with her badge
The Dalton Police Department added a new officer to the ranks on Wednesday morning. Officer Mollie Parker was sworn in by Judge Jim Wilbanks at the Municipal Court, and then received her badge from Chief Jason Parker (no relation) in a ceremony at the Dalton Police Services Center.
Officer Parker is a native of Chatsworth and graduated from Murray County High School in 2009. She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of North Georgia in 2013. While studying at North Georgia, Officer Parker interned with the Dalton Police Department and completed a study of traffic problems in the city with a focus on distracted driving. After graduation, she joined the department as a civilian employee before going to the police academy in Athens.
Officer Parker says that becoming a police officer is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. “The more I got into criminal justice, the more interesting I thought it was,” said Officer Parker.
As Chief Jason Parker (right) looks on, Officer Mollie Parker’s mother Denise Parker pins on her new badge