Questionnaires were compiled by The Current based on questions from readers. The answers to each question are verbatim from each candidate with exceptions for exceeding the word count; overages were trimmed. The answers were not edited for style or spelling; candidates were contacted if there was a question of clarity. If a question is skipped, we’ve noted that. If a candidate failed to respond to the questionnaire, we’ve noted that, as well.
Richard Coleman
Campaign email: rcoleman4sheriff2024@gmail.com
Political affiliation: Democratic
Age: 50
Home: Thunderbolt
Current job/occupation: Law Enforcement Official
Education (institutions attended, degrees earned): BS Criminal Justice Administration / MPA Public Administration 2024 winter Grad / GA Certified Law Enforcement Executive
Hometown: Savannah
Family: parents, daughter
What is the main challenge or opportunity facing your constituents?
The main challenge or opportunity facing my constituents is to show a drastic reduction in crime, improved internal operations, and jail conditions.
Tell us what your priorities would be in the first 100 days of office?
My priorities for the first 100 days of my administration will be to conduct an internal review through an assessment of the entire Sheriff’s Office. The assessment will consist of a review of policy, personnel, and operations.
What, in your opinion, makes you uniquely qualified to serve your constituents and what sets you apart from your opponent?
My experience, qualifications, and leadership abilities makes me qualified to serve my constituents. My hands-on community engagement approach, excellent rapport with all races, genders, age groups, and party affiliations makes me uniquely qualified to serve my constituents.
What are your plans to improve services for your constituents?
I plan to improve services for my constituents by improving the overall quantity and quality of service provided by the Chatham County Sheriff’s office. Such service improvements will consist of eliminating satellite visitation/fees, and return the jail to a free in-person visitation status.
Have you read the budget for your office or board – Yes or No? What priorities would you change?
Yes, I have reviewed the budget. I would conduct an internal audit of the budget to ensure accuracy and accountability. From that position, I will prioritize budgetary reconstruction.
What steps should Georgia take to improve quality of life for your constituents?
I feel the State of Georgia should take steps towards providing yearly reviews of all policies and state services to it’s citizens to ensure consistent effectiveness. Have the ability to implement or make the necessary changes that make all policies and state services beneficial all the citizens. Regardless of race, religion, gender, age or status quo.
How do you feel you can improve public safety in your role if elected?
As the Chief Law Enforcement officer of the county. I will provide law enforcement support units to assist local agencies in their crime prevention efforts.
Required for sheriff’s candidates: Do you feel staffing and pay is adequate for your department?
The current status of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office operates on an inadequate staffing level. This will be addressed and resloved immediately. I feel the current pay is adequate, however, yearly pay-raise incentives are always favorable for positive personnel retention and the overall morale of the department.
If elected, what policies would you favor to deter gun violence?
When elected, I will favor policies such as universal background checks, assault weapons ban, red flag laws, safe storage, and domestic violence restrictions to deter gun violence.
How do you see yourself creating/supporting policies related to climate change?
I will consistently review current and updated climate change information. I will ensure the Chatham County Sheriff’s office operates daily under policies that are governed according to best practices.
How important is transparency with your constituents after being elected into office? How will you communicate with your constituents on issues?
Transparency will be paramount under my administration. Nothing will be hidden, changed or altered concerning the public interest. As the old saying goes “it is what it is”. If it’s right, it’s good. If it’s bad, we will own it, and deal with the issues accordingly. I will avail myself to attend public discussions, and have an open door policy to my office for public concerns.
Is there one key issue driving your run for office? Why?
The key issue driving my run for office is maximize the service of the Sheriff’s Office that’s provided to the citizens of Chatham County. The tax paying citizens of Chatham County pay taxes for the full constitutional authority of the Sheriff’s Office, and I will give them just that!
John Wilcher
Campaign email: jtwilche@chathamcounty.org
Political affiliation: Republican
Age: 80
Home: Savannah, 57 years at address
Current job/occupation: Chatham County Sheriff
Education (institutions attended, degrees earned): US Navy
Hometown: Savannah
Family: Wife, son, and 3 grandchildren.
What is the main challenge or opportunity facing your constituents?
Our community, State and local, must take a “whole-of-community” approach to tackling the growing affordable housing crisis. It’s time to stop talking and start doing. The lack of affordable housing affects just about everyone. It makes it harder to recruit and retain a talented workforce (including deputies and correction officers) and it makes moms and dads have to pull extra shifts or get a second job to afford a roof over their family’s heads. That extra time away is time away from family and children.
How can we expect our kids to grow up right and stay out of trouble if their parents are struggling just to make enough for the bare necessities?
Tell us what your priorities would be in the first 100 days of office?
Throughout my career of service to Chatham County, I’ve always worked for more and better resources, programs, and equity for citizens, employees, and inmates. In my first 100 days, I will continue to fight for these important resources, and I will continue to do so all the way through the last 100 days of my term. This office requires tireless dedication, drive, and perseverance 365 days a year. The first hundred isn’t more important than the other 265.
What, in your opinion, makes you uniquely qualified to serve your constituents and what sets you apart from your opponent?
I’ve had one job in my whole life. I’ve dedicated my life and my career to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. I started at the bottom, worked my way up through every rank and job, and now have the privilege of being the Sheriff in the greatest county in Georgia. I’ve learned quite a lot in these 47 years at the Sheriff’s Office. I think I can safely say there is no one in Chatham who knows more about the job, its requirements, its pressures, and its pains than me. To put a fine point on it, I’m the only person in this race with experience with the Sheriff’s Office. I’m the only one who knows the actual duties and constitutional responsibilities of my office.
What are your plans to improve services for your constituents?
I have already done so, and I plan to continue serving as a resource and support to all law enforcement agencies in Chatham County for the crimefighting efforts of this community. Now, it’s important for everyone to know that the Sheriff’s Office doesn’t have the same mission of the local police departments. We don’t pull folks over for speeding, we don’t do drug busts, and we don’t patrol the streets. Those areas are police department functions and not a Sheriff’s function.
However, I do have a shared vision and interest with my fellow law enforcement colleagues. Our deputies will always step in and step up when needed. After the mass shooting in Ellis Square, I deployed our deputies to augment the Savannah Police Department’s mission to keep the streets safe for everyone.
Have you read the budget for your office or board – Yes or No? What priorities would you change?
Yes, I’ve read the budget. I am constantly looking at ways to affect positive change through our budget. Thanks to the inmate welfare fund, which is 100% made up of inmate vending and phone call commissions, we are able to deploy and administer 17 inmate anti-recidivism programs in our jail without adding a single dime to the taxpayer’s burden. That’s more proof that my administration is increasing and enhancing community services without asking citizens to pay more.
What steps should Georgia take to improve quality of life for your constituents?
I’d like to see more to address addiction. I know that people from all walks of life are struggling with addiction. I see it in our jail every day. Addiction does not discriminate. I believe that rehabilitation is as vital to the issue as prevention. That’s why I instituted a robust substance abuse program in the jail. The program has been an overwhelming success and I think that countless lives have been turned around because of this resource. We are doing everything we can in the jail to make sure that folks can have a second chance. I hope our community will support ways to reduce the amount of people who need to enroll in the first place. We need to increase the economic opportunities for the people in our community. We must continue fighting for good paying jobs, safe affordable housing, and equitable opportunities for all.
How do you feel you can improve public safety in your role if elected?
I’ll continue to build on the solid relationships I’ve already forged with my law enforcement colleagues across our community. I’ve also built a reputation in the community for being a straightforward, no-nonsense leader in fighting for public safety.
Required for sheriff’s candidates: Do you feel staffing and pay is adequate for your department?
No. The enormous amount of responsibility involved in a job with the Sheriff’s office requires a unique individual with a high level of skill and professionalism. Every day, our officers must exhibit care, empathy, discipline, fairness, and uphold equal justice under the law – all with extraordinary scrutiny and high risk. As a society, we will never be able to pay them enough. Nonetheless, the County Commission continues to support our efforts to increase competitive pay and benefits.
If elected, what policies would you favor to deter gun violence?
First off, people who do not store and keep safe firearms should be held accountable. There are too many illegal guns on our streets. Period. Firearms are far too accessible to people who shouldn’t have them.
How do you see yourself creating/supporting policies related to climate change?
It’s every person’s responsibility to leave our world in a better place for the next generation. Our work at the Sheriff’s office is no exception. In my administration, we’re doing all we can to reduce our carbon footprint. We recycle, use automated and LED lighting where able, and reduce waste at every opportunity. Furthermore, During my administration, I instituted a working committee of our deputies who review our policies and make recommendations on a regular basis as to how we can reduce, reuse, and renew.
How important is transparency with your constituents after being elected into office? How will you communicate with your constituents on issues?
Transparency has been a hallmark of my admiration. I have a proven record of being forthright and honest inside the jail and outside of the jail in the community. I don’t sugarcoat our challenges and we don’t hide behind press statements. When something is happening or has happened, I make sure I and my team are available, present, and accessible to the press and the public at large to answer any questions or concerns.
Is there one key issue driving your run for office? Why?
My love and dedication to my community, as demonstrated by deputies, my corrections officers, my civilian staff, and my family are at the heart of my passion for service to Chatham County residents. The folks around me inspire me to do more and better for my neighbors every day. I wear a badge, so I can’t let them down.
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