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Clayton County Sheriff's Department

"We need to be able to work together as a team"

"We need to communicate  better with the public & the news media."

As Sheriff I will have better communication with the Board of Supervisors, County Attorney, and the Communications Board.

COMMUNICATION & COOPERATION

Clayton County deserves better communication & cooperation

My goal as sheriff is to open up communication lines between the sheriff’s department, Fire Departments, Emergency Medical Services and Police Departments and other agencies.  In doing so I believe we will have better cooperation and work as a team to better serve the residents of Clayton County.

We need to communicate with the police, county, and state agencies better then we have done.  By communicating more we can network and exchange intelligence on crimes and suspects in the area. Pass on information that is helpful and work together fighting crime in Clayton County instead of worrying about who is getting credit for it, we need a team effort.  I plan on having the department rejoin the Clayton County Law Enforcement Association which hosts monthly trainings/meetings which is a chance for the deputies and local law enforcement officers to network on a routine basis. 

We need to communicate better with the Fire Departments, Ambulance and Medical Services so when a situation as small as a minor traffic accident, or as major as a terrorist threat occurs, we all know and can count on what the other is going to do. We need to train together, at minimum on a quarterly basis with all agencies, as we are usually all responding to the same incident. I would implement the Federal NIMS (National Incident Management System) which would help all departments to effectively manage their personnel during multiple agency incidents.  We need to be able to work together as a team.

We need to communicate better with the public and the news media.  As sheriff I plan on more news releases. The public deserves to know what is going on and what to be made aware of.  They need to know what kind of scams are going on in this area right now, how to better prepare themselves for crimes going on and provide safety tips.  Clayton County residents should know what their tax dollars are being spent on, what kind of equipment is being purchased and why.

We need to start communicating better and participating with the local schools. This would open the “door” for students to feel they have a friend in law enforcement, someone they may go to if they have a problem. I’d begin programs that educate them on preventative measures from becoming victims of various crimes, internet safety, and drug and alcohol awareness. I commend the local police departments for doing a good job at this in their communities. As sheriff I would like to partner with the departments that already have ongoing programs and I’d like to start programs in the school districts that don’t have one. Cooperating with the school districts and local police departments will certainly benefit the younger generation providing them with the knowledge to choose a safe and healthy life style.