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13WMAZ: 'I deserved to be reprimanded': Slate Simons discusses record of discipline and suspensions

Candidate website

HHJ Online: MEET SLATE SIMONS: FIRST OF HOUSTON COUNTY SHERIFF CANDIDATES HOPES FOR COUNTY IMPACT

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Plans to continue Sheriff Talton's work, leveraging his law enforcement and business expertise to efficiently manage the Sheriff's Office, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and maintaining public safety with a commitment to integrity and community collaboration.

Promises to "use his business experience to manage the Office efficiently to protect taxpayers." 

Plans to aggressively combat crime in the county, targeting gangs, drug cartels, and other threats, leveraging his law enforcement background and leadership skills to counter the national crime surge and protect families.

Hopes to establish a Citizens Academy and give citizens a straightforward pathway to becoming volunteer law enforcement or deputies.

Wants to establish an explorer program where children and teens can learn more about potential careers in public safety.

Said, "I will never allow Houston County to become a safe haven for criminal illegals."

- Promises to "use his business experience to manage the Office efficiently to protect taxpayers." 
- Plans to aggressively combat crime in the county, targeting gangs, drug cartels, and other threats, leveraging his law enforcement background and leadership skills to counter the national crime surge and protect families.
- Hopes to establish a Citizens Academy and give citizens a straightforward pathway to becoming volunteer law enforcement or deputies.
- Wants to establish an explorer program where children and teens can learn more about potential careers in public safety.
- Opposes gun control.
- Said, "I will never allow Houston County to become a safe haven for criminal illegals."

Public Safety

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

Jail Management

Aims to establish a rehabilitation program inside the jail funded by forfeitures from drug cases.

- Aims to establish a rehabilitation program inside the jail funded by forfeitures from drug cases.

Criminal Justice

Was suspended twice from his position as a detention deputy: once for reckless driving and once for inappropriate treatment of a stalking victim.

- Was suspended twice from his position as a detention deputy: once for reckless driving and once for inappropriate treatment of a stalking victim.

Ethics & Conduct

Slate Simons

13WMAZ: Houston sheriff candidate looks to fulfill his grandmother's wish in run for office

HHJ Online: FROM SPORTS TO SHERIFF: JIMMY DUNN ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN BID

Identified caring for those experiencing mental health crises and addiction as a key priority.

Wants to create a 'scared straight' program for the community's youth.

- Identified caring for those experiencing mental health crises and addiction as a key priority.
- Wants to create a 'scared straight' program for the community's youth.

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

Believes it's important for "an everyday person from the community" to be sheriff because of the "lack of trust factor in law enforcement these days."

- Believes it's important for "an everyday person from the community" to be sheriff because of the "lack of trust factor in law enforcement these days."

Jimmy Dunn

Decision 2024: Meet Matt Moulton, candidate for Houston County Sheriff

Said, "As your Sheriff, I will prioritize transparency and accountability... I believe in building trust through open communication and will work closely with both law enforcement agencies and the community to ensure that we maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity."

Prioritizes transparency and accountability through working with law enforcement agencies and the community.

Said, "As a supervisor of the Narcotics Unit, I understand firsthand the devastating impact of drug abuse on our community."

Supports addressing drug use and rehabilitation in the community.

Said, "As your Sheriff, my top priority will be to ensure the safety and security of the community. I will work tirelessly to enhance public safety measures."

The candidate's website says, "The safety of our schools and fostering positive development for our youth are essential."

Prioritizes school safety and "fostering positive development for our youth."

Said, "As a strong defender of the Constitution, I believe in the importance of protecting our Second Amendment rights."

Supports using a records management system to make policing decisions.

- Prioritizes transparency and accountability through working with law enforcement agencies and the community.
- Supports addressing drug use and rehabilitation in the community.
- Said, "As your Sheriff, my top priority will be to ensure the safety and security of the community. I will work tirelessly to enhance public safety measures."
- Prioritizes school safety and "fostering positive development for our youth."
- Opposes gun control.
- Supports using a records management system to make policing decisions.

Has experience in managing budgets and ensuring efficiency in operations within departments.

Plans to address the staffing shortage through increased focus on active recruitment.

- Has experience in managing budgets and ensuring efficiency in operations within departments.
- Plans to address the staffing shortage through increased focus on active recruitment.

Wants to address juvenile crime activity in the community.

- Wants to address juvenile crime activity in the community.

As of March 19, 2024, Matthew L Moulton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Matthew L Moulton

HHJ Online: DA WILL KENDALL ANNOUNCES HOUSTON COUNTY SHERIFF BID

13WMAZ: Answer to the people' | Houston County DA officially puts hat in ring for 2024 sheriff

Wants to make sure school resource officers have the proper equipment and training to keep Houston County public schools safe.

Plans to have the sheriff's office be fully staffed and have deputies receive necessary training.

Believes strengthening the relationship between the sheriff's office and the public can effectively address issues in the community.

As District Attorney, he created the Joint Law Enforcement Counter Narcotics Task Force in Houston County to address the fentanyl issue.

Said, "I would certainly be proactive about going after gangs, which ties into our serious violent felonies committed by juveniles, but also drug traffickers, people that are peddling poison that is killing our people in Houston County.”

- Wants to make sure school resource officers have the proper equipment and training to keep Houston County public schools safe.
- Plans to have the sheriff's office be fully staffed and have deputies receive necessary training.
- Believes strengthening the relationship between the sheriff's office and the public can effectively address issues in the community.
- As District Attorney, he created the Joint Law Enforcement Counter Narcotics Task Force in Houston County to address the fentanyl issue.
- Said, "I would certainly be proactive about going after gangs, which ties into our serious violent felonies committed by juveniles, but also drug traffickers, people that are peddling poison that is killing our people in Houston County.”

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

Will Kendall

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.