Darren Pierce says fighting drugs and dealing with growing mental health issues will be the major challenges for the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office during the next four years. Pierce, a Republican and an 18-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, faces incumbent Democrat Scott Chitwood in the Nov. 5 election for sheriff.
Dalton Daily Citizen: Why are you seeking office?
Pierce: I’m seeking the office of sheriff for several reasons. Whitfield County has seen an increase in violent crimes since 2017. Our community needs a sheriff that is going to be hands-on, serving on the front lines, developing community-oriented programs for all our citizens, and putting measures in place to slow down and deter crime. It’s been a dream of mine from a young age to run for sheriff and I have finally gotten the opportunity to do so. I love serving people, and law enforcement is in my heart. If elected I am ready to serve our community, our citizens and our future.
DDC: What makes you the most qualified candidate?
Pierce: I served under the current administration from the time I turned 18 to the time I was 36. During those 18 years I had the opportunity to work in several divisions. I was promoted to sergeant in both the Uniform Patrol Division and the Narcotics Unit. I obtained my intermediate certification, advanced certification, supervisory certification, management certification and my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. I believe that the training, knowledge and experience I have gained throughout my career have more than qualified me to become the next sheriff of Whitfield County. I have real-life experience of what it is like working on the actual enforcement side of the law and have served with compassion and heart throughout my career.
DDC: What do you think will be the major challenges facing the sheriff’s office over the next four years and what will you do to address those challenges?
Pierce: Over the next four years I feel that two of the major problems we face will be drugs pouring into our county and the mental health crisis. To help combat that we will develop a drug interdiction team with a K-9 program. We will seek the drug dealers very aggressively. I want to expand the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program into our middle and high schools and educate our children on the dangers of drugs and the aftermath of making bad decisions. We will also develop a crisis intervention team and work closely with mental health professionals to get help training our responders as well as learning more about treatment of inmates or people we encounter. First responders also need mental health treatment and help, and often there are stigmas around it and there should not be.
DDC: The nation and Georgia face big mental health challenges and, for better or worse, law enforcement is often called upon to deal with people suffering from mental health issues. What can the sheriff’s office do to better deal with these issues?
Pierce: We will establish a crisis intervention team and ensure that our employees receive top-level training. Our employees must undergo extensive training in deescalation and communication skills for all situations. I would like to collaborate with mental health professionals and have them accompany our officers on duty to provide education, evaluate specific calls and offer mental health support and advice to our officers. I believe that our officers’ mental health is often neglected, and they encounter daily situations that have long-term effects on their mental well-being.
DDC: In just a few words, what else would you like to tell the community about your background, experience, education, qualifications or why a voter should vote for you?
Pierce: I have an extensive background in law enforcement, as mentioned above. I am a Christian man, a family man, and I am dedicated to ensuring that your communities in Whitfield County are some of the safest in Georgia. I want to collaborate with the citizens and guarantee that Whitfield County is a safe place to raise your children. I have a deep love for this county and only want the best for it. I believe that 32 years in office is long enough, and it’s time to give someone else a chance to move the county forward. I humbly ask for your vote for Darren Pierce for sheriff.