About SPD

Chief Lenny Gunther is a 21-year veteran with the Savannah Police Department.

Gunther began serving the department as interim chief in July 30, 2022, while the City of Savannah conducted a national search for a candidate to fill the role permanently. On Dec. 29, 2022, the City announced that Chief Gunther had been selected to serve in the role permanently, effective immediately.

Prior to serving as the chief, he served as the assistant chief of the department. In that role, he commanded the Administrative and Management Operations Division, Savannah Area Regional Intelligence Center, Criminal Investigations Division, and the Field Operations Division. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Business and Organizational Security Management.  He is a graduate of Leadership Savannah, the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s Leadership in Police Organizations Course, the Senior Management Institute for Police, and the FBI National Academy. He is a Georgia POST-certified Instructor and has previously taught as an adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice Department at Armstrong Atlantic University.

During his time at SPD, Gunther has served in the Crime Suppression Unit, the Homicide Unit, Training Unit, Internal Affairs, Savannah Area Regional Intelligence Center, Gang and Gun Investigations Unit, Violent Crimes Task Force, End Gun Violence – Group Violence Intervention Initiative, Precinct Commander, and as the Major of the Criminal Investigations Division.