Savannah Morning News: Deputy Kevin Burns explains why he wants the top job

Ballotpedia: Kevin Lavonn Burns

Kevin was born and raised in Harlem, New York. He earned his associate's degree in Liberal Arts and his bachelor's of science in paralegal studies from St. John's University of Queens, New York. He previously volunteered as an afterschool program director for Lutheran Services of Georgia. Burns is a husband and father. He lives in Chatham County with his family.

Kevin was most recently an advanced deputy at the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. He previously worked as a juvenile corrections officer at the Savannah Regional Youth Detention Center, a substitute teacher at DeRenne Middle School, and a special patrolman/peace officer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. 

Kevin Burns' campaign for County Sheriff is his first run for political office.

Instagram

Plans to address the 200-officer shortage by improving compensation, creating pathways to professional development, building community trust, reshaping the hiring process, and developing retention incentives.

Promises to prioritize community policing training and encourage deputies to attend neighborhood meetings and local events.

Aims to increase crisis training for police officers, including in de-escalation techniques, cultural competency, and mental health awareness.

Prioritizes reducing fentanyl use in Chatham County.

Supports prioritizing other crime prevention over prosecuting and jailing non-violent marijuana use.

- Plans to address the 200-officer shortage by improving compensation, creating pathways to professional development, building community trust, reshaping the hiring process, and developing retention incentives.
- Promises to prioritize community policing training and encourage deputies to attend neighborhood meetings and local events.
- Aims to increase crisis training for police officers, including in de-escalation techniques, cultural competency, and mental health awareness.
- Prioritizes reducing fentanyl use in Chatham County.
- Supports prioritizing other crime prevention over prosecuting and jailing non-violent marijuana use.

Public Safety

Wants to raise wages and provide subsidized housing and childcare to jail staff.

Plans to audit the county jail to reduce instances of violence and gross misconduct.

- Wants to raise wages and provide subsidized housing and childcare to jail staff.
- Plans to audit the county jail to reduce instances of violence and gross misconduct.

Jail Management

Plans to appoint a team to handle and reform mental health policies.

- Plans to appoint a team to handle and reform mental health policies.

Criminal Justice

Twitter

Facebook

Kevin Lavonn Burns

Kevin has an associate's degree in liberal arts and a Bachelor of Science in paralegal studies from St. John's University of Queens, New York. He is married. 

Kevin was an advanced deputy at the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. He also worked as a juvenile corrections officer at the Savannah Regional Youth Detention Center, a substitute teacher at DeRenne Middle School, an afterschool program director for Lutheran Services of Georgia, and a peace officer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. 

This is Kevin Burns' first entry into politics. 

Plans to recruit 200 officers and prioritize retention.

Aims to improve mandatory training for police officers.

Aims to prioritize reducing fentanyl use in Chatham County.

Supports prioritizing crime prevention over prosecuting and jailing non-violent marijuana use.

- Plans to recruit 200 officers and prioritize retention.
- Aims to improve mandatory training for police officers.
- Aims to increase crisis training for police officers, including in de-escalation techniques, cultural competency, and mental health awareness.
- Aims to prioritize reducing fentanyl use in Chatham County.
- Supports prioritizing crime prevention over prosecuting and jailing non-violent marijuana use.

- Wants to raise wages and provide subsidized housing and childcare to jail staff.
- Plans to audit the county jail.

Kevin has an associate's degree in Liberal Arts and a bachelor's of science in paralegal studies from St. John's University of Queens, New York. He is married. 

Kevin was an Advanced Deputy at the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. He also worked as a juvenile corrections officer at the Savannah Regional Youth Detention Center, a substitute teacher at DeRenne Middle School and an afterschool program director for Lutheran Services of Georgia, and a special patrolman/peace officer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. 

- Plans to recruit 200 officers and prioritize retention.
- Aims to improve mandatory training for police officers.
- Aims to increase crisis training for police officers, including in de-escalation techniques, cultural competency, and mental health awareness.
- Aims to prioritize reducing fentanyl use in Chatham County.
- Supports prioritizing other crime prevention over prosecuting and jailing non-violent marijuana use.

The County Sheriff is an elected official who acts as the chief law enforcement officer in their county. They are tasked with operating the county jails, keeping courtrooms secure during trials, and keeping the public safe through proper law enforcement. Each Sheriff's Office in Georgia may look a little different in how they hire and run their teams, but all County Sheriffs have the same duties. These duties include the following:

- Operating the county jail
- Providing court security
- Serving civil papers
- Executing arrest warrants
- Providing primary law enforcement within unincorporated areas of the county
- Working with city law enforcement officers to keep municipalities safe

The County Sheriff and their office are unique to other law enforcement agencies in that it has to answer to the people it serves. Historically, a turnover in the Sheriff’s office will likely result in noticeable change within the office, so voting for this office is a very effective way to vote approval or disapproval for how county law enforcement is conducted.

The chief law enforcement officer in the county