Supports implementing a Citizen Review Board; ensures that citizens will be able to interact more the Sheriff's office

Creation of a program to help youth resist gang-involvement and drug use

Creation of Crime Suppression Unit and Human Trafficking Task Force

Second-Chance Program to help former inmates transition successfully to life after their release

- Supports implementing a Citizen Review Board; ensures that citizens will be able to interact more the Sheriff's office 
- Supports transparency with the budget
- Creation of a program to help youth resist gang-involvement and drug use
- Creation of Crime Suppression Unit and Human Trafficking Task Force
- Second-Chance Program to help former inmates transition successfully to life after their release

- Supports implementing a <pv key='citizen-review-board'>Citizen Review Board</pv>; ensures that citizens will be able to interact more the Sheriff's office 
- Supports transparency with the budget
- Creation of a program to help youth resist gang-involvement and drug use
- Creation of Crime Suppression Unit and Human Trafficking Task Force
- Second-Chance Program to help former inmates transition successfully to life after their release

Community Involvement

Fostering an excellent Internal Affairs Unit to investigate officers with excessive abuse of force reports

- Fostering an excellent Internal Affairs Unit to investigate officers with excessive abuse of force reports
- Supports use of body cams

Public Safety

Supports collaboration with the District Attorney and the Solicitor General to create a Second-Chance program

Many problems stem from mental health issues; would like to partner with organizations to help veterans

- Supports collaboration with the District Attorney and the Solicitor General to create a Second-Chance program
- Many problems stem from mental health issues; would like to partner with organizations to help veterans

Criminal Justice

Sheriffs not only manage the operation of jails but also the operation and security of courthouses

Would like to partner with DeKalb Police Department to ensure deputies are out in the community, helping to respond to calls

- Sheriffs not only manage the operation of jails but also the operation and security of courthouses
- Would like to partner with DeKalb Police Department to ensure deputies are out in the community, helping to respond to calls

Jail Management

Sheriff should be a nonpartisan position; the job is to enforce the laws and keep the public safe, not make the laws

Must become tough on crime and work closely with the DeKalb County School Board

- Sheriff should be a nonpartisan position; the job is to enforce the laws and keep the public safe, not make the laws
- Must become tough on crime and work closely with the DeKalb County School Board
- A safe county encourages economic growth

Why me?

In the mid 2000s, he saw a growth in crime and issues in DeKalb County

Believes he can help improve conditions and increase prosperity in the county

- Born and raised in DeKalb County
- In the mid 2000s, he saw a growth in crime and issues in DeKalb County 
- Believes he can help improve conditions and increase prosperity in the county

Worldview

Harold Dennis

Wants the agency to be a model of excellence, accountability, and respect (EAR) in the way it interacts with the community to build trust.

Everyone should feel that they can contact the us and we will listen and act accordingly

- Wants the agency to be a model of excellence, accountability, and respect (EAR) in the way it interacts with the community to build trust. 
- Everyone should feel that they can contact the us and we will listen and act accordingly

Wants the agency to be a model of EAR in the way we treat the inmates under our care

Must always be mindful that there is a person and/or family and a community connected to every person under our care in the jail

- Wants the agency to be a model of EAR in the way we treat the inmates under our care
- Must always be mindful that there is a person and/or family and a community connected to every person under our care in the jail

As Chief of Police at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, partnered with the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office to provide job training for inmates who were set to be released

Currently provide GED services to inmates and will partner with community-based organizations to provide clothing and grooming for inmates so that they can access employment opportunities upon being released

- As Chief of Police at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, partnered with the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office to provide job training for inmates who were set to be released  
- Currently provide GED services to inmates and will partner with community-based organizations to provide clothing and grooming for inmates so that they can access employment opportunities upon being released

Was born and raised in DeKalb; this is her home and protecting her county is a personal mission

Experience matters; started a police department, served as a police chief, is a hostage negotiator, worked in the DeKalb Police Department and is now the Sheriff.

Understands the job from every angle and understand the importance of building trust

- Was born and raised in DeKalb; this is her home and protecting her county is a personal mission
- Experience matters; started a police department, served as a police chief, is a hostage negotiator, worked in the DeKalb Police Department and is now the Sheriff. 
- Understands the job from every angle and understand the importance of building trust

Raised right here in DeKalb and raised her daughter here. Most of her career has been spent protecting and serving DeKalb County

Hopes to continue applying her experience and passion for service as to making our county the safest and best it can be

- Raised right here in DeKalb and raised her daughter here. - Most of her career has been spent protecting and serving DeKalb County
- Hopes to continue applying her experience and passion for service as to making our county the safest and best it can be

Melody Maddox

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.

DeKalb County Sheriff

Candidates (2)