The candidates for Habersham County Sheriff are Tonya Elrod, Chad Mealor and Joey Terrell, the incumbent. The duties of Sheriff are: the chief law enforcement officer in the county, not subject to the county government, but rather is accountable directly to the public who elects the Sheriff. In Georgia, Sheriffs have jurisdiction across the state and receive their authority through the Georgia Constitution. The Sheriff operates the county jail, provides court security, serves civil papers, and executes arrest warrants. The Sheriff and deputies provide law enforcement in unincorporated areas of the county. The sheriff also has full jurisdiction in the various municipalities within the county.
Tonya Elrod is a former Habersham County Sheriff’s Deputy who has earned degrees from Gainesville College and North Georgia College and State University. She is opposed to No-knock Search Warrants as being unecessary and too dangerous for most situations found in Habersham County. She points out that her life-long envolvment in Habersham County makes her an invested leader in the community. She wants to build more bridges in the county between individuals, as well as in county schools and other organizations. She feels her extraordinary dedication and nearly two decades in law enforcement have prepared her to lead the county Sheriff’s office. Tonya relates her handling of tough situations and her 18 years of experience as evidence of preparedness to run the county Sheriff’s Department.
Chad Mealor has been with the Hall County Sheriff’s Department for 24 years. He has worked in all areas of county law enforcement and feels technology can help improvement county law enforcement and that community envolvment is the key to living peacefully in the county. Chad feels deputies should experience all areas of county law enforcement. He is a life long resident in Habersham County. Chad feels that No-knock Warrants are not particularliy needed in Habersham, but feels there could be a rare situation in which one might be required. He feels better staffing and better training would improve Habersham County law enforcement.
Joey Terrell is the incumbent and has worked in the Habersham County Sheriff’s office for 24 years. His assignments have included the jail, dispatch and patrol, and currently, Sheriff since 2009. Under Joey’s leadership a K-9 unit has been established, acquired state accredidation, established a South Precinct, started a Citizens Law Enforcement Academy, and partnered with county schools in providing resource officers. Currently, Sheriff Terrell is working on Active Shooter Training for businesses. He is seeking a second agent to the Appalachian Drug Task Force. He has also helped with Habersham’s Circle of Hope, by obtaining grant funding to off-set the salary and overtime needed for Crimes Against Persons investigation.
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