The Sandy Springs Police Department’s Patrol Division are the first responders to calls for service within the City. The City of Sandy Springs is divided into nine patrol beats. These beats are patrolled by our officers who become familiar with their areas and the communities they protect. Officers respond to a myriad of calls including vehicle crashes, crimes in progress, traffic complaints, just to name a few. The Patrol Division provides 24-hour coverage patrolling your neighborhoods, business districts, and the interstates. The men and women assigned to the Patrol Division are the backbone of the organization and are always happy to assist our citizens and those visiting the City of Sandy Springs.
The Patrol Division is commanded by Captain Spears. The Captain is supported by four Lieutenants, each of which commands a patrol shift with their two Sergeants and officers.
Captain Andrew Spears is the Patrol Division Commander. He has been with the Sandy Springs Police Department since November 2006. His assignments have included Uniform Patrol, Special Investigations, Criminal Investigations, Staff Inspections, SWAT, and Honor Guard. Captain Spears is a graduate of Penn State University and the University of Louisville’s Southern Police Institute. He was a member of the 27th GILEE Delegation (Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange) to Israel and is also a recent graduate of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Command College.
Captain Spears can be contacted via e-mail or phone at 770-551-3302.
Lieutenant M. McGinnis is assigned as the Day A supervisor. Lieutenant McGinnis started his police career with the Fulton County Police Department and has been with the Sandy Springs Police Department since its inception in 2006. His previous assignments include Uniform Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Field Training Officer, Crisis Negotiations Team, Chaplain Coordinator and Public Information Officer. He is currently the Commander of the Quick Response Force (QRF). Lieutenant McGinnis is a graduate of the University of West Georgia.
Lt. McGinnis can be contacted via e-mail or phone at 770-551-6945
Lieutenant David Lapides is currently assigned as the Evening A supervisor. Lieutenant Lapides has served with the department since its inception in 2006. His career in law enforcement began in 1997 with the Fulton County Police Department. His assignments have included Uniform Patrol, DUI Task Force, Accident Investigations, Crisis Negations, Criminal Investigations, Internal Affairs, and Staff Inspections. Lieutenant Lapides has an Associates of Science in Criminal Justice from Georgia Perimeter College, a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Reinhardt College, and a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Louisville. He is also a Dean’s List graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s Administrative Officers Course, Class 142, from the University of Louisville. Lieutenant Lapides is also the treasury for the Sandy Springs Police Benevolent Fund.
Lt. Lapides can be contacted via e-mail or phone at 770-551-6933.
Lieutenant David G. Romero is currently the Day B supervisor. Lieutenant Romero began his law enforcement career on March 1, 2000, with the Fulton County Police Department. Lieutenant Romero is one of the original officers that started in July 2006. During his 20-year career, his assignments have included Uniform Patrol, Criminal Investigations, and Special Operations.
Lt. Romero can be contacted via e-mail or phone at 770-551-6959.
Lieutenant Ronald Johnson is currently assigned as the Evening B supervisor. He started his police career with the City of Statesboro Police Department. He then worked for the Fulton County Police Department for ten years before joining the Sandy Springs Police Department. His previous assignments include North Metro SWAT, Street Crimes Unit, and as a South District Patrol Sergeant. He is a graduate of Georgia Southern University. He is the lead instructor for the department’s Women Self Defense Class.
Lt. Johnson can be contacted via e-mail or phone at 770-551-6941
