A handful of new sheriffs took office across North Georgia Jan. 1, including the first new sheriff in Dawson County in more than 20 years.
Additionally, new sheriffs have been sworn in to serve the citizens of Forsyth and Rabun counties.
In Georgia, sheriffs are responsible for enforcement of the criminal laws of Georgia; maintaining the safety and security of the court, serving papers and performing other court-related duties; and operating county jails and are solely responsible for the custody, safety and health of inmates, according to the Georgia Sheriffs' Association.
New Dawson County sheriff wants to empower people through community programs
Newly-elected Sheriff Jeff Johnson wants to help Dawson County residents help themselves.
“I’m a firm believer and supporter of autonomy, of taking care of ourselves,” Johnson said. “I think if we empower our people and strengthen our people to help protect themselves, it’s just an accumulative effort, a cooperation so to speak, to make a safer community.”
Johnson, who won a run-off election for sheriff in July, will look to accomplish this goal by ramping up community programs to help educate the public.
It will be a fresh start for Dawson County as it has been more than 20 years since the county elected a new sheriff. Sheriff Billy Carlisle did not seek re-election after serving his fifth term.
“After 20 years, I certainly admire what Sheriff Carlisle has done and the foundation that he’s laid, but it’s a new opportunity,” Johnson said.
Johnson has spent the last seven years as commander of the Dawson County Detention Center and will bring nearly 24 years of law enforcement experience with him when he takes office on Jan. 1.
New Forsyth County Sheriff seeks to assign a resource officer to every public school
Newly-elected Sheriff Ron Freeman spent over 25 years working for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office before leaving to become the Deputy Chief of Police in Brookhaven.
Now, after two years away, Freeman has returned to Forsyth County to take the position of sheriff after defeating incumbent Sheriff Duane Piper, who was seeking just his second term at the position.
Freeman has several plans he wants to implement in his first month in office including assigning a school resource officer to every public school and increasing the number of narcotics officers to combat the growing issue of drugs in Forsyth County.
The former Chief of Detectives for Forsyth County, Freemen also served as the Commander of the South Precinct which has since ceased operations since Freeman left.
It would only be natural that Freeman would look to reopen his former precinct as he stated during his campaign that 70 percent of the county’s population is located in South Forsyth with no patrol deputies, something that he would like to change.
Another major initiative that Freeman would like to implement is a Citizen on Patrol program. This program would train volunteers to manage traffic incidents and congestion.
New Rabun County sheriff to focus on being chief public servant in county
New Rabun County Sheriff Chad K. Nichols says while he is the chief elected officer of the county, he also wants to focus on serving the people.
"I see it as the chief public servant of the county, as I'm here to serve all," Nichols says. "I'm not a man of many words, and hopefully the work will show what my words are short on."
Nichols says he hopes to earn the support of anyone who didn't support him in the election by the actions of his office over the next four years.
"Our community is well supportive of our law enforcement," Nichols says. "So I ask for continued support of me - the office of the sheriff, it is a sacred and old office - but also support these deputies, jailers, these city policemen, the firemen, the ambulance workers, the rescue squad, and the state and local law enforcement because all of us have to work together in unison."
Nichols has identified encroaching theft, drug abuse, family violence, concentrated traffic congestion, financial accountability, and the need for zoned patrol as some of the areas he will focus on during his first term.
A lifelong resident of Rabun County, Nichols says teamwork of all city, county and state agencies and personnel is key to the success of the county.
"It's kind of like a spoke on a bicycle wheel," Nichols says. "If one of those spokes is out, the wheel is not going to turn right, so continue to support all your public safety."
Having nearly 20 years of experience in area law enforcement, Nichols pledges to be transparent, accountable and involved with all members of Rabun County. He most recently served as chief of Baldwin Police Department.
Nichols, who likes quotes, said a quote from 41st President George W. Bush is an important reminder: "Use power to help people. For we are given power not to advance our own purposes nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power and it is to serve people."
