Michael Ricks ‘16

Michael Ricks ‘16

Corporal Michael Ricks currently serves with the Gwinnett County Police Department, His career includes service on patrol, as an undercover gang detective, and as a member of the FBI Atlanta Safe Streets Gang Task Force. He was later assigned to the Recruit Training Unit, where he led academy training for numerous police recruits, shaping the next generation of officers. His work has earned him recognition including the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Person of the Year and the Gwinnett County Police Department Police Achievement Medal.

A proud 2016 graduate of the University of North Georgia, Michael earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensic Science. He later completed his master’s degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security at Arizona State University. He has served as a part-time faculty member at Kennesaw State University and Arizona State University, teaching a wide array of criminal justice courses. He has also been invited to present at premier national and international conferences. In addition, his expertise on gangs and transnational organized crime has led to multiple appearances on Fox News Global, where he has provided analysis and perspective on emerging threats. His leadership extends beyond the classroom as the Metro Atlanta Regional Director of the Georgia Gang Investigators Association.

Corporal Ricks is also a proud U.S. Army veteran, where he served as a Sergeant and squad leader in the Army Reserve. While deeply dedicated to public safety and education, Michael takes the greatest pride in his family. He and his wife, Cynthia, are raising their two children, Kate and Baker, in a home grounded in faith, love, and service. His ability to balance the demands of a high-intensity profession with the responsibilities of being a husband, father, soldier, and servant leader is, in his words, his most meaningful accomplishment.