Clarkesville appoints Clouatre as police chief

Clarkesville has a new police chief. On Monday, the City Council named Capt. Danny Clouatre to replace outgoing Chief Brad Barrett.

A native of Habersham County, Clouatre served under Barrett as a deputy chief and detective. He joined the Clarkesville Police Department in 2005 and was promoted to captain in 2007.

Clarkesville City Manager Keith Dickerson announced Clouatre as chief during Monday night’s Clarkesville City Council meeting. He said when Chief Barrett submitted his resignation, the city received a lot of interest in filling the position.

Dickerson said he spoke with the mayor and city council and “we felt like everything was going so well here that we wanted to stay with the company and we want to continue this program in the future.” He then congratulated Clouatre his new position.

Clouatre’s promotion to chief left a detective position vacant. The council appointed Clarkesville PD Patrol Commander and Sergeant Ryan Ledford to fill the position.

“We asked around a bit and found out he was the perfect guy. He had been working on it for some time,” Dickerson said of Ledford.

Sergeant. Ledford joined the department in 2009. Ledford is a White County native and graduated from North Georgia Technical College’s Criminal Justice Program in 2007.

Honoring two decades of service

The City Council recognized Barrett at its May 6 meeting for his decades of service to the city.

Dickerson presented Barrett with a plaque and read the inscription aloud: “After 22 years, we would like to thank you for your exemplary service and commitment to the citizens of the City of Clarkesville. We, the Mayor and City Council, join the residents of Clarkesville in presenting this to you in recognition of your 22 years of service.”

The city also presented Chief Barrett with a farewell basket and gift.

“Thank you for your service. My four and a half years were simply seamless. I appreciate everything you’ve done,” Dickerson told the longtime police chief.

Barrett thanked Dickerson for the plaque and farewell gifts but did not comment publicly during the presentation.

The career police officer submitted his resignation to the Clarkesville City Council on April 2. He told Now Habersham at the time: “I’m leaving because it feels like the right time.”

Barrett said he is considering a possible move to the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.

“I like the idea,” he said in April, “but I’m not entirely convinced yet.”