James is originally from Detroit, Michigan. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Morehouse College and a Master of Science in administration from Central Michigan University. He lives in Sandy Springs with his wife, with whom he has four children. They are members of Ebenezer Baptist Church.  

James is the founder and owner of a private security firm. He previously worked as a Fulton County Reserve Officer, an instructor at the Fulton County Public Safety Training Center, and an officer in the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.

James Brown was previously elected to the Fulton County Grievance Board in 2005.

As of March 19, 2024, James "J.T" Brown’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Plans to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency, and implement effective oversight to ensure the safety of all in the county jail.

Said, "I will restore humane conditions within the jail to a federally compliant, livable, and safe space for all."

- Plans to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency, and implement effective oversight to ensure the safety of all in the county jail.
- Said, "I will restore humane conditions within the jail to a federally compliant, livable, and safe space for all."

Jail Management

Supports diversion programs; wants to collaborate with partners to support crime prevention, create youth programs, and decrease the rates of incarceration for previously convicted individuals.

Promises to ensure the availability of vital resources for people struggling with mental illness.

- Supports diversion programs; wants to collaborate with partners to support crime prevention, create youth programs, and decrease the rates of incarceration for previously convicted individuals.
- Promises to ensure the availability of vital resources for people struggling with mental illness.

Criminal Justice

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James "J.T" Brown

Joyce Farmer wants to be the next Fulton County Sheriff

Joyce was born and raised in Macon, Georgia.  She attended Morris Brown College. She has three children and two granchildren.

Joyce is a lieutenant at East Point Police Department, She previously worked for the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office from 1989 to 2018 and had roles as a sergeant, intake booking, inmate housing and safety, visitation, bonding and release, and the warrant division. She was also previously a field training officer.

Joyce Farmer's for County Sheriff in Fulton County is her first entry into politics. 

Believes in investing in professional development opportunities, mental
health resources, and community engagement programs.

Plans to address the causes of losing experienced officers by improving working conditions, providing adequate support, and implementing retention strategies.

- Believes in investing in professional development opportunities, mental
health resources, and community engagement programs.
- Plans to address the causes of losing experienced officers by improving working conditions, providing adequate support, and implementing retention strategies.

Audacy, A Candid Interview with Joyce Farmer on the Future of Fulton County Jail

Plans to review all current policies and procedures, including heathcare services, mental health support, and emergency response, to make sure they are the best practices.

Advocates for robust policies, trainings, and commitment to the welfare of inmates to ensure the accountability of the correctional system.

Prioritizes addressing and reducing deaths among inmates in the county jail.

- Plans to review all current policies and procedures, including heathcare services, mental health support, and emergency response, to make sure they are the best practices.
- Advocates for robust policies, trainings, and commitment to the welfare of inmates to ensure the accountability of the correctional system.
- Prioritizes addressing and reducing deaths among inmates in the county jail.

Emphasizes need for proactive solutions in addressing root causes of crime.

- Emphasizes need for proactive solutions in addressing root causes of crime.

Joyce Farmer

AJC/ACC Voter Guide - Local & Legislative Questionnaire

Kirt and her husband Kenneth Feagin have two daughters. She has participated in organizations like the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Order of Black Law Enforcement, and the Georgia Association of Women and Public Safety. She attends Fairfield Baptist Church. She earned an undergraduate degree from Coahoma Junior College. 

Kirt Beasley retired in 2017 as a Lieutenant Colonel and Assistant Chief Jailer at the Fulton County Sheriffs Office after starting as a deputy. She has served in both the Fulton County Jail and the Fulton County Sheriff's Office. She has also owned a Smoothie King franchise for a decade. 

As of May 9, 2024, Kirt Beasley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of March 19, 2024, Kirt Beasley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The Atlanta Voice, Kirt Beasley wants to be the next Fulton County Sheriff

Wants to focus on increasing staff at the county Jail, saying that is currently the biggest issue in Fulton County.

Aims to prioritize solutions to jail overcrowding and understaffing. Also plans to fund facility improvements.

Wants to collaborate with justice departments to reduce the jail population and implement programs aimed at providing growth opportunities and support for re-entry into society.

- Wants to focus on increasing staff at the county Jail, saying that is currently the biggest issue in Fulton County.
- Aims to prioritize solutions to jail overcrowding and understaffing. Also plans to fund facility improvements.
- Wants to collaborate with justice departments to reduce the jail population and implement programs aimed at providing growth opportunities and support for re-entry into society.

Kirt Beasley

Patrick is from Fulton County. He has a bachelor's in business administration from Clark Atlanta University and a master's in public administration from Columbus State University. He and his wife, Jacki, have four adult children and reside in Midwest Cascade in Southwest Atlanta.

Patrick previously worked as the chief and a major for the City of Atlanta Department of Corrections, 

Patrick Pat Labat is the County Sheriff in Fulton County. He was elected in 2020 and is serving his first term. 

Labat for Sheriff 2020

Wants to create a correct budget to include wage increases to attract and retain employees and a funded jail blitz rehabilitation program to provide a safer facility.

The candidate's website says, "Spearheaded the Junior Corrections Leadership Academy to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the city’s youth"

Supported the Junior Corrections Leadership Academy to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the city’s youth.

Plans to enhance Fulton County's public safety with proactive, transparent leadership, innovative law enforcement strategies, and a commitment to bettering citizens' quality of life, building on past successes in Atlanta.

Hopes to improve Fulton County's public safety with transparent leadership, innovative law enforcement strategies, and a commitment to bettering the quality of life.

- Wants to create a correct budget to include wage increases to attract and retain employees and a funded jail blitz rehabilitation program to provide a safer facility.
- Supported the Junior Corrections Leadership Academy to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the city’s youth.
- Hopes to improve Fulton County's public safety with transparent leadership, innovative law enforcement strategies, and a commitment to bettering the quality of life.

Plans to expand the inmate advocacy unit to help detainees get to court and ensure their cases are addressed in a more timely manner.

Said, "Led City of Atlanta Department of Corrections to 3 consecutive American Correctional Association (ACA) accreditations with a perfect score of 100/100"

As county sheriff, the Atlanta Department of Corrections received three consecutive American Correctional Association accreditations with a score of 100/100.

- Plans to expand the inmate advocacy unit to help detainees get to court and ensure their cases are addressed in a more timely manner.
- As county sheriff, the Atlanta Department of Corrections received three consecutive American Correctional Association accreditations with a score of 100/100.

Supports criminal justice reform through the PAT3 Re-entry Program, a collaborative initiative providing job opportunities for non-violent returning citizens, acclaimed as a national model for reducing recidivism.

Created the PAT3 Re-entry Program, a partnership that provided job opportunities for non-violent returning citizens.

The candidate's website says, "Secured Second Chance Grant to provide a higher level of aid for mental health detainees and those faced with opioid challenges"

Secured the Second Chance Grant, which provides more aid for mental health detainees and those faced with opioid challenges, as county sheriff.

- Created the PAT3 Re-entry Program, a partnership that provided job opportunities for non-violent returning citizens.
- Secured the Second Chance Grant, which provides more aid for mental health detainees and those faced with opioid challenges, as county sheriff.

Patrick Pat Labat

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.

Fulton County Sheriff, Democratic Primary

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Candidates (4)

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Public Safety

Jail Management

Criminal Justice