Monday, December 12, 2011

Uplifting story of success

From: Ken Ball [mailto:kball@hollyspringsga.us]
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 9:24 AM
To: 'Jean Moe'
Subject: RE: membership cards from SPIAA

I started my career in 1975 as a campus police officer at Georgia State University where I received my POST Certification as a police officer. A little over a year later, July 1976, I joined the Marietta Georgia Police Department. During my tenure I worked all divisions and units in the Agency except Narcotics. I rose thru the ranks of the Agency to serve as Deputy Chief of Police before my retirement in March of 2005. As a young rookie Captain in 1995 I was approached by the Chief of Police and offered the opportunity to attend the Administrative Officers Course at SPI. At the time I was just welcoming my 3rd child into the world. But I saw this opportunity as a “once in lifetime” chance to start moving toward my goals in my personal education. As I landed in Louisville Kentucky my thoughts were back home with my wife and newborn child. It was cold and snowing and I thought this was going to be a long haul. God was good to me that day and made sure I had a roommate that had his thoughts of family back home as well. Lt Charlie Hall of the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia immediately became a close friend as we began moving toward tackling SPI. The first day of class seemed like a 10 mile walk in the cold and with snow falling. In class we were introduced to Dr. Bill Walsh who rapidly became a very dynamic teacher and advisor for the next 13 weeks. Many friendships were made and many teams were forged to ensure we were all successful in graduating. As I returned home to Georgia from SPI, for the final time, I realized how important the training I received was. As well, and more importantly, I realized the networking I developed in those 13 stressful weeks was invaluable. I still call on colleagues from SPI from time to time for advice, fellowship, and even vacation spots. Both the education and networking carried me to the next level in my personal career goals. In 1998 I was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief of Police in Marietta. At this point I started to work on my Masters Degree in Public Administration. I successfully completed that degree in 2003. I then made the decision I was ready to move toward that personal goal I had for many years to serve as Sheriff or Chief. In 2004 I made a decision to run for Sheriff in the County I lived in at the time. What I consider a very successful bid for the Office of Sheriff (because I only lost the election by 1% of the vote and the incumbent had held the office longer than I lived in the County)  I attribute the success to being at SPI. When I made this decision I called on many friends who held top jobs in Police and Sheriff’s Departments, as well as Dr Walsh, for advice. After losing the election I went back to work at Marietta with a very positive outlook. I started sending out a few “feelers” for Command Staff or Chief positions. What always seemed encouraging to me was 95% of the positions had a desire, or a requirement, that candidates be a graduate of the Southern Police Institute or an equivalent. The first of 2005 I got a phone call from an elected official in Holly Springs Georgia. He asked about my interest to serve as Chief of Police and as well about my background including education. When I told him about SPI his comment was “yes we are looking for somebody that has that type education.” I sent the City my resume and the rest is history. I have served the City of Holly Springs as Chief for the last 7 years and I attribute my success in large part to the Southern Police Academy. As a matter of fact I was fortunate to have one of my Lieutenants who had a desire to attend SPI after hearing me talk about it. I had the ability to work out the financial end and he successfully graduated from SPI in 2006. I am very proud to say he is now serving another agency as Deputy Chief of Police. While you certainly don’t want to lose good people it is a GREAT feeling to help somebody else reach their personal goals and add another “top dog” in this profession who has experienced the GREAT education SPI offers. As Dr. Walsh always said “A new paradigm.”

I will always be a “cheerleader” for the Southern Police Institute and I am available if I can ever be of service to SPI, the Staff, or fellow Graduates. Congratulations to all who have been and to all those who will go! Please feel free to call on me anytime I can help or be of service in Georgia.

Chief Ken Ball
Holly Springs Police Department
770-345-5055