What is your name?

Curtis Clemons

Tell us more about yourself.

A 34-year law enforcement veteran in Gwinnett County. A U.S. Marine veteran and father of two adult children: Drexton, a professional comedian in New York, and Ciera, a successful business owner in Dunwoody. A former Gwinnett deputy sheriff. Became a Gwinnett police homicide and SVU investigator. Retired in 2019 as the first Black assistant chief of Gwinnett Police in county history. Ran for sheriff in 2020. I lost in a runoff election with the current sheriff. In 2021, I joined the Gwinnett District Attorney's Office as deputy chief of investigations. I currently appear as a regular guest legal analyst on CourtTV.

What office are you running for?

Sheriff of Gwinnett County

What is your party affiliation?

Democrat

Attach a photo of yourself

Attach your resume or CV.

Where did you go to school?

- Columbia High School, DeKalb County, 1983 - B.S., Business Management, Shorter College of Business, 2008 - M.A., Professional Business Leadership, Shorter University, Rome, Ga., 2011 - FBI Executive Leadership graduate, 2018 - Gwinnett County L.E.A.D.S. Leadership graduate, 2019 - Assoc. Chiefs of Police graduate, 2022,

Provide the link to your campaign website.

www.Clemonsforsheriff.info

What is your job/occupation?

Law enforcement professional (asst. chief of Gwinnett Police ret.)

What city/neighborhood do you live in?

Dacula

Is this your first time running for office?

No

What experiences have best prepared you to hold elected office?

I have 34 years of law enforcement experience in Gwinnett County. - 1983-1989: United States Marine Corps (Sgt.) - 1989-1994: Gwinnett County deputy sheriff - 1994-2019: Gwinnett County Police — first Black assistant chief of police (Ret.) - 2020-2021: Gwinnett County Solicitor General-Investigator & Community Affairs - 2021-2023: Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office — deputy chief of investigations I have experience running the second largest law enforcement agency in the state, and managing a budget of over $100 million. These factors, plus my community service to youth, as a mentor, make me ready to lead the sheriff's office on day one!

What would be your top priority upon winning office?

My top priority is to address the issue of retention and recruitment of quality personnel. Since Sheriff Taylor’s arrival, historic staff resignations have occurred. The staffing shortage has resulted in the denial or delay of services to the community, i.e. delayed evictions and long waits for attorneys to see their clients. The large number of detainee deaths, and suspending of the Jail Dog Program are all staffing related. I will seek to rehire employees in good standing who have promised to return if I’m elected. I will seek aggressive recruitment of diverse personnel who more accurately reflect the diverse Gwinnett community.

What actions would you take to enhance government transparency and trust in government?

Enhancing government transparency and building trust are essential for a healthy democracy, and is an ongoing process. I would have regular town hall meetings where I would interact directly with residents. This would encourage open dialogue and address community concerns. I would lead by example, demonstrating ethical behavior and adherence to rules. By implementing these measures, I believe I can enhance transparency, engage citizens, and foster a sense of accountability and trust. Real leadership and trust start at the top!

Do you believe Georgia elections are secure and what additional security measures can be taken?

I do believe Georgia elections are very secure, but we must be vigilant to ensure that those who can lawfully vote have every opportunity to vote without hindrance, regardless if, in-person or through absentee ballot.

What is government's responsibility to ensure affordable housing?

Local, state and federal governments play a crucial role in creating policies, regulations, and funding mechanisms to promote affordable housing. They can allocate resources, incentivize developers, and implement programs to address housing shortages. As inflation rises, compensation has remained stagnant. It is crucial for government, business, and home developers to develop affordable homes with food resources, green space, and infrastructure for future community growth.

Do you believe public access to public records is sufficient in your jurisdiction and, if not, what steps do you support to remedy that?

I believe that the public access to public records is adequate in Gwinnett County. However, the current usage of Open Records to obtain specific often untracked records can be chaotic. I would initiate comprehensive standardized tracking of basic operations details to ensure transparency to the public and media.