What is your name?

Patrick Labat

Tell us more about yourself.

Sheriff Patrick Labat is the 28th Sheriff of Fulton County, Georgia. Labat began his career in 1988 as a detention officer and retired as Chief. A native Atlantan and lifelong resident of Fulton County, Labat is a 36-year law wnforcement veteran, a proud graduate of Fredrick Douglass High School and Clark Atlanta University, and he earned his master's in public administration from Columbus State University. He and his wife, Jacki, share four adult children and two rescue dogs.

What office are you running for?

Fulton County Sheriff

What is your party affiliation?

Democrat

Attach a photo of yourself

Attach your resume or CV.

Where did you go to school?

- Frederick Douglass High School, 1986 - Clark Atlanta University, 1993 - Columbus State University, 2009

Provide the link to your campaign website.

www.labat2024.com

What is your job/occupation?

Fulton County Sheriff

What city/neighborhood do you live in?

Atlanta (Midwest Cascade)

Is this your first time running for office?

No

What experiences have best prepared you to hold elected office?

My preparedness for the role of sheriff is evidenced by the successes of my first term, my extensive background in law enforcement and proven track record of leadership. I have 35 years of experience in understanding jail operations and leading large teams. As sheriff of the largest and one of the most complex sheriff's offices in Georgia, I have strategically worked to addressed challenges related to overcrowding, inmate safety, and criminal justice reform with a focus on rebuilding relationships between law enforcement and the community.

What would be your top priority upon winning office?

A top priority of my administration would be to work with the Board of Commissioners to establish the correct budget for the Fulton County Sheriff's Office to include wage increases to attract and retain employees, and continuance of a properly funded jail blitz rehabilitation program to provide a safer facility. Additionally, I will focus on expanding the inmate advocacy unit to help detainees get to court to ensure their cases are adjudicated in a more timely manner to continue to address overcrowding and prevent detainees from sleeping on the floor. Lastly, I would have a renewed focus on mental health for detainees and employees alike.

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

I would create the following positions for the Fulton County Sheriff's Office: procurement officer, data analyst and internal auditor.

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

I believe Georgia election are secure. Sheriffs play an important role in ensuring secure elections, given our law enforcement authority and responsibilities for maintaining public safety. Here are several key actions that can be taken to ensure secure elections: - Collaboration with election officials - Security Assessments - Training and preparation - Visible presence at polling places - Ensuring chain of custody - Monitoring and investigating threats - Public communication - Collaboration with other law enforcement agencies - Post-election security

What is government's responsibility to ensure affordable housing?

The government's responsibility to ensure affordable housing is multifaceted and varies depending on the municipality's legal framework, societal priorities, and available resources. Generally, this responsibility includes: - Legal and policy framework - Funding and subsidies - Public housing programs - Partnerships with private sector - Tenant protections - Addressing homelessness - Community development and urban planning - Research and data collection

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

Yes, I do believe public access to public records is sufficient within the Fulton County Sheriff's Office. Strategies to enhance public records requests include: - Creating and hiring an additional open records manager position - Streamlining processes - Offering digital platforms and portals - Standardizing procedures - Training and awareness - Public education and outreach