Major Ralph Woolfolk IV is a proud Atlanta native and Commander over the Violent Crime Interdiction Section (VCIS). VCIS is responsible for fighting criminal street gang activity, firearms crime and narcotics related crimes in the City of Atlanta. Prior to promotion to Major, he ushered in a wave of new and analytical focused processes and brought a targeted response to the City’s Special Enforcement Section, encompassing Homeland Security Unit, Gangs, Fugitive, Repeat Offender and Auto Crimes Enforcement, where he was assigned as a Captain.

Through data analysis, surveillance, targeted enforcement and inter-agency cooperation with local, state and federal partners, he oversaw a dramatic decrease in gang related violence in a little over a year. During this time, Woolfolk oversaw a nationally recognized operation entitled “Operation Heatwave”, aimed at combating violent crime through the identification and apprehension of violent offenders associated with criminal gang activity.  Championing the use of evidence-based practices, he worked with executive leadership to reconfigure the Violent Crime Interdiction Section to realize the next generation of targeted enforcement of repeat violent offenders.

Before his promotion to Captain, Major Woolfolk served as the Commander of the elite Homicide Unit, achieving one of the highest clearance rates on record. His diverse experience includes serving as a lieutenant in Zone 5, where he also commanded the Field Investigations Team. During his time as lieutenant, he worked in the Executive Protection Unit, managing the safety and security of the mayor, as well as several VIP and dignitary visitors to the city.

As a sergeant, Woolfolk was assigned to the Training Academy, where he served as a Use of Force expert as well as Defensive Tactics Instructor, responsible for overseeing the review of Use of Force incidents, which required testifying in depositions. He was selected and served as the Deputy Chief of Planning for Super Bowl LIII.

Woolfolk also supervised the Zone 3 Field Investigations Team, overseeing multiple successful operational deployments. Prior to promotion to Sergeant, Woolfolk served as a detective in both the Special Victims Unit and the Gun Assault Team, responsible for investigating shootings.

Woolfolk began his career in Zone 6, where he served as a patrol officer and field training officer. He was also a member of the original Boulevard Detail, a crime suppression unit aimed at target enforcement concerning violent offenders in Zone 6. Woolfolk received an ASIS International Positive Policing Award for his efforts working on a crime suppression unit targeting violence surrounding college and university campuses during this time. 

Woolfolk holds a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. Woolfolk holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College; is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forums’ Senior Management for Police Institute, as well as a graduate of the elite AT&T Business Leadership Development Program. Woolfolk is a Prince Hall Affiliated member of the Free and Accepted Masons, a member of the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.  He is also a graduate of the Atlanta Police Leadership Institute and serves as a Senior POST Certified Instructor. Major Woolfolk is a devoted husband and father of three children, Chloe, Harper and McKinley.