THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Thomasville, Ga. police chief John Letteney was recently sworn in as the president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

“This past weekend I had the great pleasure of participating in an event in Dallas, Texas with the City Manager,” Thomasville Mayor Jay Flowers said. “I got to meet many people who played an important role in your (Letteney’s) life and see you sworn in as the President of the IACP.” 

Flowers said he originally thought the opportunity would be neat, but upon arriving to Dallas, he saw the magnitude of the honor being bestowed upon Letteney. 

The IACP is the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders.  With more than 32,000 members in over 170 countries, the IACP is a recognized leader in global policing, committed to advancing safer communities through thoughtful, progressive police leadership.  Since 1893, the association has been serving communities by speaking out on behalf of law enforcement and advancing leadership and professionalism in policing worldwide.

“We are so proud to have Chief Letteney here and leading our police force,” Flowers said. “You (Letteney), have been chosen by those 32,000 members as the leader of leaders and we couldn’t be more proud.” 

This accomplishment signifies years of hard work on Letteney’s behalf. 

He was named Thomasville’s Police Chief in January 2021. Prior to Thomasville, he was the Chief of Police in Apex, North Carolina and also worked for the Southern Pines Police Department in North Carolina and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in Rochester, New York, resulting in an over 40-year law enforcement career.

During his time as a law enforcement officer, Letteney joined the IACP and was elected the fourth Vice President in 2018. 

“It’s just like any other election,” Letteney said. “You campaign hard for the entire year before the election. I was flying all over to the Caribbean, campaigning and raising funds to do that.” 

Letteney continued to meet all eligibility requirements and move up the ranks as the years went by. 

“It was very well planned and understood,” Letteney said. “You go into it knowing that you will eventually become President.” 

One of the many things Letteney said he loves about the IACP is the way the Vice-President role works, because it is a four-year training program. 

“It’s a very complicated organization, so each year, you learn about a different role,” he said. “One year I worked on the financial side of the organization, along with the Vice President Treasurer. You really just learn the gambit of the whole organization.” 

His term began Oct. 18 at the conclusion of the IACP Annual Convention and Exposition held in Dallas, Texas.

Letteney is thrilled to be able to represent Thomasville on a global level and share with fellow officers what works in the local community, while being able to learn from other communities as well. 

“John’s impressive law enforcement career and the leadership he has brought to our organization makes him the perfect candidate to serve as IACP President,” concluded Thomasville City Manager Alan Carson. “We are proud of his achievements and his opportunity to represent Thomasville internationally in this prestigious position.”