As of May 10, 2024, Clay Whittle did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

One on One with Richard Rogers │ Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle

Clay Whittle is currently County Sheriff for Columbia County. He was elected to this position in in 1995, and has served seven terms. 

Columbia County Sheriff's Office

Emphasizes the importance of training law enforcement officers.

Supports the use of community policing, which he describes as keeping "citizens involved and maintain open communication to assist us in keeping criminals off the streets."

Supports improving technology to make law enforcement easier.

- Emphasizes the importance of training law enforcement officers.
- Supports the use of community policing, which he describes as keeping "citizens involved and maintain open communication to assist us in keeping criminals off the streets."
- Supports improving technology to make law enforcement easier.

Public Safety

As of March 19, 2024, Clay Whittle did not have a website or any information online.

Jail Management

Supports Columbia County investigating officer-involved shootings themselves with their Force Investigation Team rather than the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.

- Supports Columbia County investigating officer-involved shootings themselves with their Force Investigation Team rather than the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.

Criminal Justice

Clay Whittle

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.