Happy New Year! I wanted to take this opportunity to share the accomplishments and productivity of the Sheriff’s Office during 2016.  It was a difficult year on many levels, but the employees of the Sheriff’s Office have really stepped up and showed a level of determination and dedication that has made me very proud.

During the calendar year of 2016, my staff executed over 10,000 criminal warrants and almost 25,000 civil papers. In addition, we investigated over 400 criminal cases and the number of registered sex offenders managed monthly increased to 356. Our AFIS unit worked over 900 cases, examined more than 3,000 pieces of evidence and made over 200 identifications of criminals. The criminal records section conducted over 5,000 background checks.

We assisted over 500 motorists, escorted hundreds more to the Liberty House and similar facilities. We conducted over 3,000 drug tests of offenders.

At the jail, over 16,000 were processed for admission or release and over 96,000 visitors came to see them. The staff managed an average daily inmate population of almost 700. At the Judicial Building, over 110,000 visitors were processed and over 2,000 items of contraband were taken. All of this to assure the security of the courts, where between the Judicial Building and the jail, more than 29,000 cases were heard.

To help prevent youth from coming to jail, we conducted character education classes in the majority of Dougherty County’s elementary and middle schools and conducted over 100 interventions with troubled youth. We also held a youth summer camp for five weeks and a variety of other community events. These were all conducted using donated funds.

Since being elected Sheriff, I have done my best to maximize the efficiency of the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office while improving the level of service we provide. My office has faithfully served the youth of this county and been a good steward of the taxpayers’ money. The Sheriff’s Office has been a good team player with the County, other law enforcement agencies, and community organizations.

I have been very honored and humbled to serve as Sheriff of Dougherty County and want to thank you for giving me this opportunity. As I enter my third term, I look forward to many more years of service to this community. I am asking you to join my team and help me in making our community a safer place to call home. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office at (229) 430-3259 or visit our Facebook page or our website at www.doughertysheriff.com. May God bless you with a very safe and healthy 2017!