Hungry for History: A Conversation with Ulysses Bryant

A native Savannahian, Chief Ulysses Bryant is the elder of four sons born to the late Mr. Ulysses and Ruthie Mae Bryan. He was educated in the Savannah Chatham County Public Schools and shares the distinction of being amongst the first group of African American students to graduate from previously all-white Savannah High School in June of 1964. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University, and a Master of Arts in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University.

Chief Bryant served honorably in the United State Air Forces for more than thirteen years. He returned to Savannah in February of 1977 and began his stellar rise in the field of law enforcement, first serving as a correctional officer for the State of Georgia, and later as a uniform police officer with Chatham County Police Department. He began his employment with the public school system in September 1985. Working his way up through the ranks, he was appointed Chief of Police in December 1998. He retired June 1, 2014, as Chief of Police/Executive Director for Safe Schools, for the Savannah-Chatham County Board of Public Education after 29 years of service. Chief Bryant served as Interim Chief of Police for the Department of Public Safety at Savannah State University from May 2018 until December 31, 2019, when he returned to retirement.

Chief Bryant is committed to bettering his community and is Past President of the Liberty City-Richfield-Southover Community Improvement Inc. He is a lifetime member of the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum. Professionally, he holds membership in the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including The Criminal Justice Award from the Georgia Chapter of The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.