Mike Edwards (left), director of the State of Georgia Certification Agency, presents a plaque to Timmi Benton and Chief Bill Shannon

In order to become a state certified police force, the Authority’s public safety department had to meet 118 standards. The state of Georgia’s standards, which consists of liability issues and officer safety standards, is compiled and modeled after the national certification standards program.

“This is a very proud moment for the Georgia World Congress Center Authority,” Graveline said.  This is a big-time accomplishment that started almost three years ago.  I’m very proud of this group and all the hard work Chief Shannon and his staff have done.”

Shannon was pleased to see his department’s hard work pay off with the state certification.

“We are very ecstatic to receive the certification,” Shannon said.  “It is a good step in the right direction of operating the department as a professional organization.” 

In the state of Georgia there are over 1,200 agencies that are eligible for state certification.  The GWCCA is one of only 96 to receive such accolade. Benefits to being certified include: greater governmental and community support, recognition in the field for outstanding achievement, greater operational and administrative effectiveness and reduced liability potential.

The GWCCA is the only convention center in the United States that contains a fully-certified Public Safety Department.

“Our department is very unique,” Shannon said.  “We are a hybrid of law enforcement and security that provides safety and security to all patrons of Georgia World Congress Center Authority facilities.”

Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority -- which includes the Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park -- ranks among the top four largest convention destinations in the country as well as one of the best sports and entertainment campuses in the world.

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Contact:
Douglas Blair
Communications/PR Manager
GWCCA
404-223-4041
dblair@gwcc.com

A lasting legacy of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Centennial Olympic Park has become a performing-arts venue, community gathering-space and an anchor for downtown development. The Georgia World Congress Center Authority operates the 21-acre Park, as well as the Georgia Dome and Georgia World Congress Center. The three state-owned facilities are one of the largest combined sports, entertainment and convention center facilities in the world.