Capt. Thompson began his law enforcement career with the Gwinnett County Police Department in 1977 where he served in a variety of capacities including 15 years as an internal affairs investigator.  He also served as an assistant academy director, the bomb squad commander and was a member of the bomb squad and SWAT team.  Capt. Thompson came to the Sheriff's Department in 1997 at the rank of lieutenant to command the Professional Standards unit.  He is a polygraph examiner and was a member of the 1996 Olympic games bomb squad.  Capt. Thompson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Georgia and holds a Masters in Public Administration.