First elected Whitfield County sheriff in 1992, Scott Chitwood says his experience and training make him the most qualified candidate for sheriff. Chitwood, a Democrat, is seeking reelection and faces Republican Darren Pierce, an 18-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, in the Nov. 5 general election.
Dalton Daily Citizen: Why are you seeking office?
Chitwood: I think my 32 years of experience in this elected position alone provides a solid background of experience and knowledge. I have a continued desire and drive to serve this community. I have a proven record and wish to continue as sheriff of this county.
DDC: What makes you the most qualified candidate?
Chitwood: Prior to being elected, I was corporate security director for Shaw Industries and served as chief deputy under Sheriff W.G. Talent. A graduate of the prestigious FBI-National Academy, FBI-LEDS Program, National Sheriffs’ Institute and the GBI-Special Agent Course, along with countless conferences and training hours, I feel my record speaks for itself.
DDC: What do you think will be the major challenges facing the sheriff’s office during the next four years and what will you do to address those challenges?
Chitwood: Certainly, drugs remain a major threat to our community. With $4.5 million in seizures, along with 299 vehicles in the last 12 years and about 450 arrests on drugs and narcotics annually, we will continue to be aggressive on drug investigations. Recently, we were part of a major drug investigation with DEA (the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration), seizing over 1,000 pounds of meth.
Protection of school campuses is also a top priority. Threats continue to increase around the country, and after three years of working with county school officials, we are now in the final stages in securing funding and to place (school resource officers) in all county schools.
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?
Chitwood: Mental health continues to be one of the major challenges for all jails across this nation. We work very closely with Benchmark (which provides mental health crisis response). We have created a behavior health specialist position inside our detention facility. We have recently met with (Kevin Tanner, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities) to engage in a pilot program to provide doctors to come directly to the jail in hopes of more in-depth evaluation in order to expedite these inmates and place them in a facility to better address their needs. This will also provide psychiatric meds and a state psychiatrist in the facility at no cost to local taxpayers.
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?
Chitwood: I have a solid record of service to this community. One of the things that I am most proud of, that in 32 years, I have done nothing that has brought embarrassment to my family, the sheriff’s office or to this community. I think that alone speaks volumes to my years of service, commitment and dedication to this job. It is my desire to continue serving the citizens of this county that have placed their trust in me. I am proud to be your sheriff.