Sam Jones and Joey Terrell are running for Habersham County sheriff.
Two candidates are vying to serve as Habersham County’s sheriff for the next four years – incumbent Joey Terrell and challenger Sam Jones.
Jones served in the U.S. Marine Corps and has worked in law enforcement for 28 years, including 20 years in Habersham County as a jail administrator and narcotics investigator. Terrell is running for his fourth term as sheriff and has served in the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office in some capacity since 1995. The candidates’ answers to the same questions are provided in alphabetical order.
1. How do you see the COVID-19 crisis changing the way law enforcement is operated in the future?
2. What is the biggest law enforcement challenge that you see emerging over the next four years in Habersham County and how will you face it?
3. What needs to be done to ensure the county has adequate jail facilities and how will you work with county officials to facilitate that?
4. What is the sheriff’s office’s greatest need in terms of personnel or equipment and how will you try to meet that need?
5. What qualities should a candidate possess to be a great sheriff for Habersham County?
SAM JONES
1. I believe that law enforcement in general was unprepared for a pandemic incident like we have and are still facing. Going forward, establishing policies and procedures that will govern how law enforcement reacts and responds during incidents like the COVID-19 pandemic are a must. I also believe that some of the procedures that have been implemented, such as better hygiene practices as well as routine decontamination of equipment should stay in place. These preventative measures will increase law enforcement’s preparedness in the future.
2. Over the past several years, Habersham County has seen an increase in drug-related crime. This rise of drug-related crime has lead to an emergence of criminal gang activity in our community. I believe that this rising trend, or influx of illegal drugs, will continue unless appropriate measures are put in place. We must be proactive in our approach to maintain the safety and security of our county. This can be accomplished by increasing patrol personnel, and by proactively searching for these drug traffickers and gang members.
3. I will ensure that the current facility is evaluated by an unbiased agency, such as the National Institute of Corrections, to learn all available options in order to be cost effective, while providing for the future of Habersham County. I will exhaust all available resources to ensure that taxpayer money is well spent, not on wants, but on needs. By working together with our county officials, we must be able to provide solutions that will continue to serve the needs of our community into the future.
4. I believe that the greatest need, is an increase of patrol personnel to adequately provide much needed security and safety to the Citizens of Habersham County. I also believe that attracting, recruiting, and retaining these qualified personnel through education based incentives, partial or whole payments of the Peace Officer Annuity and Benefit Fund, and advancement opportunities, will lead to a more professional and more responsible Sheriff’s Office for our community.
5. First and foremost, a sheriff must be a leader. A sheriff must have the leadership qualities that exhibit the highest degrees of professionalism. A sheriff must be firm, fair, consistent, and empathetic, not only towards the employees, but towards the community. A sheriff must hold the employees accountable, while being held accountable himself. The sheriff is not simply a figurehead, but the law enforcement leader for the entire county. A sheriff should be looked to for inspiration and mentorship, while at the same time being progressive for the future.
JOEY TERRELL
1. The COVID-19 crisis has changed how we are doing everything in America. Law enforcement has had to scale back what and how they do their job. We will not be able to continue in this direction because the court system must open and start to move again. We have warrants that are piling up and must be served. Probation officers will start seeing their probationers again and they will be taking probation warrants. So, the jail population will rise again and likely be very high. As more people go back to work and fill the roads, wrecks and the associated issues that follow will keep law enforcement busy. But cleaning the jail, our patrol cars and offices will always be with us. Washing hands and good hygiene practices will always be with us. Keeping our officers safe will continue to be a top priority.
2. One of the biggest challenges we face in law enforcement is the retention and recruitment of officers. It’s not only a challenge for the sheriff’s office, but it is also a problem for any local or state agency. Pay is the biggest draw for younger officers and those who are looking to better themselves and their families. For officers who have some time in, they are looking for better benefits like retirement. In any case, it is hard to compete with bigger agencies that offer several thousands of dollars in pay more than what can be offered in our sheriff’s office. We can’t even compete with some police departments because they have stepped up and have a great pay and retirement package for their officers. The only way to address this issue is to continue to work with the county commissioners to further increase pay and benefits for our officers.
3. We reached out to the Georgia Sheriff’s Association and had them come and do a jail study to determine what the jail needs and capacity for the next 30 years should be. We also reached out to people in the jail industry, people who build and design jails, and asked for their help in evaluating our current jail and designing a new jail for the next 30, or even 50, years. We have spoken with representatives of Steel Cell (a Habersham-based company) and looked at the cells they build to help design a new facility. Also, Habersham Metal has a world of experience and knowledge that can be used in making decisions. All this information is presented to the county commissioners so a jail can be designed and built to serve the county for at least the next 30, if not 50, years.
4. The deputies who serve Habersham County have always done a tremendous job. But we are always having to call on local police departments to help us answer our calls for service. More deputies on the streets means faster response times on calls and more deputies patrolling in our neighborhoods. However, that also means more taxes for more salaries. There must be a balance and working with our commissioners is the way to achieve it. The deputies drive tens of thousands of miles a year and vehicle replacement is always a top priority. Having vehicles that hold up and are not maintenance hogs is a constant issue. We supply our officers with all kinds of equipment – tasers, pepper spray, duty weapon, backup weapon, patrol rifles, shotguns, hand cuffs, expandable batons, duty gear, boots, uniforms, and bulletproof vests. Working with our county commissioners and looking for grants is how we equip our officers.
5. A good sheriff should have an enterprising but realistic management style, always seeking new, better, and more efficient ways to provide law enforcement and community support services to the citizens of Habersham County. And I am always mindful that it can’t be done alone and, to truly be successful, it takes the help and cooperation of a talented staff and community partners focused on a common goal. A good sheriff also gets out in the field and helps when needed. By running a chain saw, directing traffic, or changing a flat tire, I strive to lead from the front, not the top. Working in every area of the sheriff’s office has given me invaluable experience. I have gained unique experience in budgeting, strategic planning, resource management, and jail management. Above all, the grace of God and the wisdom He gives through the Holy Spirit is the main quality that a good sheriff should possess.