Major Fred Watson joined the Atlanta Police Department in 2000.  After graduating from the police academy in 2001, he was assigned to Zone 6 in East Atlanta as a police officer.

In 2003, Major Watson was assigned as an officer to the elite RED DOG Unit, where he worked with his team members to target individuals involved in illegal street-level drug activity.

In 2005, Major Watson was promoted to the rank of investigator and was assigned to the Fugitive Unit tasked with apprehending wanted individuals.

In 2007, Major Watson was promoted to sergeant and worked various assignments, including Zone 4 Evening Watch in southwest Atlanta, Zone 4 FIT, Zone 4 Day Watch, RED DOG, Zone 6 Morning Watch, Office of Professional Standards, and the Special Victims Unit.

In 2014, Major Watson was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and was assigned to Zone 4 Day Watch.  Later in 2014, Watson was assigned to the School Detectives Unit and worked in cooperation with the Atlanta Public School System to provide a safe atmosphere for students, faculty, and staff.  Major Watson investigated crimes within the school district and engaged in student-focused extra-curricular activities.

In 2015 as a lieutenant, Major Watson was assigned to the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit as the SWAT Commander.  In SWAT, Major Watson was instrumental in doubling the size of the SWAT team and creating partnerships with other law enforcement agencies to assist Atlanta with special events.  Major Watson co-chaired the All-Hazards team for College Football National Playoff in 2018 and Super Bowl LIII in 2019.

In 2018 as a lieutenant, Major Watson was assigned to the Homeland Security Unit and led the operations of the Intelligence, Electronic Surveillance, and Cybercrimes Units.

In 2019, Major Watson was appointed to the rank of captain and assigned to the Special Enforcement Section, which commands the operations of the Criminal Intelligence, Fugitive, Homeland Security, License and Permits Units, and Narcotics.

In 2019, Major Watson was appointed to the rank of major and assigned to the Community Oriented Policing Section (COPS).  Within COPS, Major Watson led the following units: Community Liaison, Special Projects, Path Force, and the Police Athletic League (PAL).  Additionally, COPS works in partnership with the Atlanta Police Foundation to deliver specialized youth services at the award-winning At-Promise Youth & Community Center. 

In 2020, Major Watson was assigned to the Special Enforcement Section, where he commanded the operations of the Airport Drug Interdiction, Criminal Intelligence, Fugitive, Homeland Security, License and Permits units.

In 2021, Major Watson was assigned to the defunct Contingency Operations Division which was responsible for researching, developing, planning, and implementing a strategic force for all significant events in the City of Atlanta, including parades, protests, marches, rallies, large gatherings permits, sporting and entertainment venues. Additionally, Major Watson was responsible for the implementation and oversight of the APD COVID vaccination distribution process for departmental employees. 

Major Watson currently is assigned to the Training Academy, where he serves as the Academy Director. Major Watson serves on the GA POST board as an advisory member. The following units operate within the Training Academy: Critical Incident Unit, Firearms Unit, Professional Development Unit, Recruit Unit, and the Training and Compliance Unit.

Major Watson is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and comes from a law enforcement lineage of civil servants.  Major Watson received his Specialist in Education from the University of West Georgia, Master of Science from the University of Cincinnati, and his Bachelor of Science from Morris Brown College, where he graduated with honors and was on academic/athletic scholarship with the Wolverines football team. 

Major Watson has obtained his managerial and supervisory certifications through GA POST and is an Atlanta Police Leadership Institute (APLI) Tier 5 graduate.  Watson is a graduate of the Police Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) Session 65 and Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command Session 417.  Major Watson participated in the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE) program via Georgia State University, where he spent time in Israel & Germany learning and sharing policing concepts with the Israel Police, the German Landespolize Police, and the German Police University.

Major Watson is a Georgia P.O.S.T. General Instructor.  Major Watson is a co-founder and charter member of the Atlanta Police Historical Society (APHS).  Additionally, Major Watson is a member of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Northwestern University Center for Public Safety (NUCPS) Alumni Association, FBI-LEEDA, and is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Over his career, Major Watson has received many awards, including the Atlanta Police Department’s Medal of Honor and the Marion Lee Trailblazer Award.  In addition, Major Watson has received a Life-Saving Award from Atlanta Metropol, Inc., and a Commendation for Excellence Award from the 300 Club of Atlanta.