Grovetown Department of Public Safety Head Resigns

Scott Wheatley, courtesy photo

Date: September 20, 2021

Scott Wheatley, director of Grovetown Department of Public Safety, has resigned.

“The City would like to thank Scott Wheatley for his 22 years of service with the City and we wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Ashley Campbell, Grovetown public information officer.

Wheatley has spent his entire career in public safety in Grovetown. He became chief in June of 2015. He announced his resignation Sept. 16.

“I’ve been here since I was 18 years old,” said Wheatley. “I just want to do something different in a less stressful environment.”

Wheatley says he intends to seek a different career but has not indicated what that new field will be. He also says that he did appreciate his tenure with Grovetown Public Safety.

“It’s a great department, it’s a great city to work for,” said Wheatley. “I enjoyed it.”

Wheatley’s last day as director will be Oct. 15. His 30-day notice was to ensure he would be present a smooth transition for his replacement.

Jamey Kitchens, chief of police in Wrens, has since accepted the position of interim director of public safety Grovetown. Kitchens’ law enforcement experience includes patrol, narcotics, task force operations and supervision roles. He is to serve as interim director for 90 to 120 days, after which Grovetown is scheduled to advertise for role full-time.

Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.


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The Author

Skyler Andrews is a bona fide native of the CSRA; born in Augusta, raised in Aiken, with family roots in Edgefield County, S.C., and presently residing in the Augusta area. A graduate of University of South Carolina - Aiken with a Bachelor of Arts in English, he has produced content for Verge Magazine, The Aiken Standard and the Augusta Conventions and Visitors Bureau. Amid working various jobs from pest control to life insurance and real estate, he is also an active in the Augusta arts community; writing plays, short stories and spoken-word pieces. He can often be found throughout downtown with his nose in a book, writing, or performing stand-up comedy.

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