Clayton County, GA – Jeffrey Turner, the current chairman of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners and the former chief of the Clayton County Police Department, has announced his candidacy for sheriff in the 2024 election. Turner, who has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement and public service, said he wants to bring transparency, accountability, safety and mental health awareness to the sheriff’s office.
Turner’s background and achievements
Turner moved to Clayton County with his family in 1978 and graduated from Morrow High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from West Georgia College and his master’s degree in public administration from Columbus State University. He joined the Clayton County Police Department in 1987 as a patrolman and rose through the ranks to become the first African-American chief of the department in 2007. He retired from the police force in 2013 and was elected as the chairman of the Board of Commissioners in 2014.
As the chief of police, Turner implemented innovative programs that improved public safety and reduced crime in the county. He also acquired national accreditation for the department and graduated from the FBI National Academy. As the chairman of the Board of Commissioners, he is responsible for the daily operations of the county government and oversees a budget of over $300 million.
Turner’s vision and goals
Turner said he decided to run for sheriff because he believes in building strong relationships between law enforcement and the community. He said he is committed to working with residents, businesses and community leaders to improve safety in Clayton County and the county jail. He also said he wants to address the mental health issues that affect many inmates and officers.
“I am running for Clayton County Sheriff because I believe in transparency and building strong relationships between law enforcement and the community,” Turner said. “I am committed to working with residents, businesses and community leaders to improve safety in Clayton County and the county jail.”
Turner said his campaign will focus on four main pillars: accountability, mental health, safety and transparency. He said he will hold himself and his deputies accountable for their actions and ensure that they follow the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. He said he will partner with mental health professionals and organizations to provide counseling and treatment for inmates and officers who need it. He said he will enhance the training and equipment of his deputies to ensure that they can respond to any situation effectively and safely. He said he will also communicate openly and honestly with the public and the media about the operations and performance of the sheriff’s office.
Turner’s challenges and controversies
Turner’s announcement sets the stage for a competitive race to become the next sheriff of Clayton County, a position that has been marred by scandals and controversies in recent years. The previous sheriff, Victor Hill, was convicted of violating the civil rights of six inmates and sentenced to 18 months in federal prison in 2021. The current sheriff, Levon Allen, was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to fill the vacancy left by Hill, but he faces several lawsuits and investigations for alleged misconduct and abuse of power.
Turner himself is not immune to controversy. In 2020, he was accused by his former executive assistant, Dr. Katrina Holloway, of orchestrating a scheme to send fake threatening letters to himself and her. Holloway was arrested and charged by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for making false statements and tampering with evidence, but she claimed that Turner was the mastermind behind the plot and that he asked her to mail the letters and provide him with stamps. Turner denied the allegations and said he was the victim of a smear campaign. The case is still pending in court.
Turner said he is confident that he can overcome the challenges and clear his name. He said he has the support of many people in the community who know him and trust him. He said he is ready to serve the county as the next sheriff and make a positive difference.
“I have a proven track record of leadership and service in Clayton County,” Turner said. “I have the experience, the skills and the vision to lead the sheriff’s office into a new era of excellence and integrity.”
The primary election for Clayton County Sheriff will take place on May 21, 2024. Turner will face four other candidates: Levon Allen, the incumbent sheriff; Gregory Gilstrap, a retired deputy chief of the Clayton County Police Department; Dwayne Hobbs, a former chief of the Forest Park Police Department; and Eric Stubbs, a retired lieutenant colonel of the Georgia State Patrol.
