The Georgia Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (GACLEA) was founded on Oct. 9, 1974. The first organizational meeting and official elections took place at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. Alex K. Johnson was elected president; William Tynan, vice president; Robert Miller, secretary; and James Dearing, treasurer. It was established in the by-laws that the meetings of the association should be held quarterly beginning Jan. 1, 1975.
Since its inception, the association has played an active role in all matters concerning campus law enforcement. GACLEA has represented the views of campus law enforcement on matters affecting its members on the Georgia Board of Regents and the Georgia General Assembly.
The association has also extended formal support to organizations and individuals interested in improving law enforcement in Georgia. GACLEA has supported members for positions of leadership in prominent organizations at the state and national levels through endorsements and contributions.
Many GACLEA members have gone on to lead at the state and national levels. Some notable members are listed below:
- Edward Kassinger (UGA)—president of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), 1974-1975
- Asa Boynton (UGA)—president of IACLEA, 1987-1988
- Scott Doner (VSU)—president of IACLEA, 2002-2003
- Jasper Cooke (ASU)—IACLEA Board of Directors
- Alex Johnson (Emory)—treasurer of IACLEA
- Bryan Golden (ABAC), president of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP), 2005-2006
- Ken Vance (GCSU)—Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Board of Directors, two terms as Public Safety Committee Chair, GMA Hall of Fame honoree, member of the POST Probable Cause Committee, currently serving as the Director of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) for the state of Georgia
- Vernon Worthy (Morehouse)—president of the Georgia Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, president of the Historical Black Colleges and University Law Enforcement Executives Association
GACLEA began with 14 members representing 12 institutions. Today the association has more than 90 members representing more than 60 institutions. Its primary focus is to have a positive impact upon the professional development of campus law enforcement services.