Miller, a Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) employee since 1976 and its sheriff since 2000 is currently being challenged by Democrats Derrick T. Broughton and Todd Johnson in November election.
Miller himself points to his track record as the reason he should be re-elected.
“I was born here, raised here, educated here and have worked here all my life,” Miller said. “I have 41 years in law enforcement and have watched the area grow tremendously. You could compare the DCSO to any agency, anywhere and it would be one you are extremely proud of.”
Miller had his stats ready, pointing to a decrease in crime nearly every year he has been in office. According to Miller, DCSO had a 100 percent clearance rate on murders in 2010, compared to a 64.8 percent national average.
The same year, DCSO’s robbery clearance was 33.3 percent compared to 28 nationally, aggravated assault was cleared 56 percent of the time compared to 69.5, burglaries were cleared at a rate of 17.3 percent compared to 12 and motor vehicle theft was cleared at a 22.6 percent rate compared to 11.8 percent nationally. Miller also requires 40 hours of training, the state requires 20.
“I don’t just get to say what my people are doing, I get to show you. I am very proud of what we do,” said Miller, who also invited citizens to check sheriff.douglas.ga.us or the DCSO’s Facebook page to see what the department is up to.
Miller pointed out work done by the HEAT and FIND units, including the high number of DUI arrests made. DCSO recently won the Hero award from Mother’s Against Drunk Driving.
The department has teamed up with the Boys and Girls Club and the Douglasville Police Department through the Youth Against Violence program.
Miller acknowledged the economy has made things tough.
“It’s a tough time for county government,” Miller said. “There have been cut backs. We haven’t hired anyone new since 2005 and we are being required to do more with less. And we will do an excellent job accomplishing that.”
Miller said the new jail will be a much safer environment for DCSO employees as dangerous inmates can be separated from medium and minimum security offenders. Miller does not oppose sentencing reform, but said he is concerned about it.
“I am concerned with the state looking at criminal justice reform where people are going to have alternative sentencing,” Miller said. “The state’s position is to get rid of some state inmates and create drug courts, mental health courts and Veterans courts to save money by not having inmates in prison. Every study I have read about why crime has gotten lower of the past decade is because of mandatory sentencing.”
Separating violent criminals from the community has helped according to Miller, who also noted that drug treatment programs have low success rates if they don’t last a minimum of six months.
Regarding his opponents, Miller feels they don’t have the qualifications necessary to run the department.
“I’ve been in top management for 24 years, and I’ve prepared and done budgets for 30 years,” said Miller. “I’ve been in the trenches... If you look at experience, I don’t mean any disrespect, but I don’t think anybody could consider their qualifications anywhere close to mine. I try to let my job speak for itself.”
Johnson has a website, www.electjohnson2012.com. The site calls for an “ABC’s” program of national accreditation, better budget management and community. He also has a seven point plan: keeping front-line deputies on the streets, innovation in reducing inmate populations, partnering with Project Safe, creating a victim service community liaison, keeping seniors safe and personnel and training.
“As a taxpayer of Douglas County and a community leader, I have had the opportunity to witness this great county see huge growth,” said Johnson. “With growth comes change and a greater responsibility for the Sheriff‘s Office. I have not seen the DCSO adjust to the change and growth. Therefore, I believe that I am the man ready and able to handle the job of your next Sheriff.”
Johnson, a Michigan native, has never run for office before. He moved to Douglas County in 1997, working as a highway emergency response operator. Johnson joined the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office in 2003 and the Georgia Tech Police Department in 2004. Since 2008, he has served as a police officer in the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office.
“We need to reunite the community back together and develop a community-oriented police philosophy where we are fair and we hold the officers accountable for their actions,” Johnson said. “The most important factor is budget management.”
Johnson started campaigning Jan. 24, 2011 and has many fund raisers planned.
He describes the new jail as a “touchy situation.”
“After looking at the budget and looking at where it is, we will have to move forward with aligning our budget to accommodate what the current administration has put together,” Johnson said. “With the new sentencing reform the state of Georgia is looking at, I think it will affect us. We will have to be proactive and make sure we have proper funding.”
Johnson said he likes Miller, adding “I am not running against Phil Miller, I am running for sheriff.” But, he believes it is time for new leadership and a new vision.
Derrick Broughton has worked for the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office since 1992 according to his Facebook page. A graduate of Morris Brown College, Broughton ran for county Sheriff in 2008, losing to Miller by a 60 percent to 40 percent margin.
Attempts to reach Broughton for comment were unsuccessful, but he has posted the following comments on his campaign’s Facebook page:
“As your Sheriff, I will be charged with the responsibility of enforcing the law in a fair and impartial manner to prevent and deter crime,” said Broughton. “Anyone who is accused or convicted of violating the law will be apprehended and detained. Enforcement of the law must be conducted within the statutory judicial limitation of the law, it must ensure the safety and well being of the community while preserving the constitutional rights of all citizens.”
Broughton’s goals for the position are “to provide a fresh and proactive approach to law enforcement, making sure that our citizens are safe in improving the quality of life for all citizens.”
Post a Comment