Alpharetta Department of Public Safety swears in 16 promotions and new dispatchers

At a recognition ceremony in Alpharetta, the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety formally swore in and pinned 16 employees, including a promotion to captain, three new lieutenants, five newly promoted sergeants and several certified 9-1-1 dispatchers.

The event celebrated personnel changes across the department and included remarks from Chief John Robinson, a benediction from Chaplain Fisher and an invocation from Chaplain Eichelberger. The chief framed the promotions as part of the department’s mission-driven work and asked the newly promoted supervisors to lead with that purpose.

Chief John Robinson said the ceremony reflected a larger organizational purpose, telling attendees that “no matter what our role is ... we all have one job, and that is being mission minded.” He recounted the familiar “man on the moon” anecdote to illustrate his point and told honorees, “This will be a moment you will never forget in your career.”

Promotions and swearing-in details

9-1-1 and dispatch: Ariel Colburn was promoted to senior 9-1-1 officer; Tory Lambert, Matt Castillo, Kennedy Jones, Aubrey Smith, Jennifer Stelenee and Janice Bancroft were sworn in as certified 9-1-1 dispatchers. The chief noted the certification and training process for dispatchers is lengthy and rigorous; the transcript notes Colburn began her public safety career in April 2023 and earned the department’s 2024 rookie of the year award.

Sergeants: Dustin Bach (16½-year veteran) was promoted to sergeant on B squad in uniform patrol after a seven-year assignment with traffic enforcement and DUI duties. Josh Chastain (seven-year department veteran, formerly of Powder Springs) returned to the training unit as sergeant. John Goodwin (seven-year Alpharetta veteran, previously with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office) was promoted to sergeant in uniform patrol after assignments in investigations and as a field training officer. Caitlin Lawrence (nine-year veteran) was promoted from detective in the criminal investigations division to sergeant in uniform patrol. Shanique Rosario (about two and a half years with the department, formerly with the New York City Police Department) was promoted to sergeant in uniform patrol.

Lieutenants and captain: David Botniak (26-year department veteran) was promoted to lieutenant in the criminal investigation division. A John Robinson listed in the promotions roster was described as an 18-year department veteran and promoted to lieutenant in logistics and technology; the transcript also contains comments by Chief John Robinson, who spoke from the podium earlier in the program. David Vann (nearly 19 years’ service) was promoted to lieutenant in the uniform patrol division and noted as an assistant commander on the North Fulton SWAT team. David Freeman was promoted to captain of the information technology division; the transcript lists his prior assignments to training, North Fulton SWAT and public information and notes he is completing a master’s in public safety administration.

Ceremony notes and reception

Promotions were followed by a formal oath for police supervisors and photo opportunities with family members. The chief invited family and colleagues to pin honorees on stage; the event concluded with a benediction and a reception with cake in the rotunda.

The transcript records awards, degrees and service years cited during each biography read at the ceremony, including references to officer awards, DUI enforcement recognitions, and academic degrees. The ceremony text does not record any formal vote or council action; it documents ceremonial swearing-in and promotional announcements by department leadership.