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Again, I’m seeking the citizens’ approval and sponsorship as a candidate for one of the most prestigious offices in Rockdale County, Conyers, Georgia: the Office of Sheriff in the 2012 election. My analytical, administrative and executive skills; ability to achieve goals; objectives and futuristic short and long-term vision; will provide a better and safer quality of life for all citizens of Rockdale County.

I am running for Rockdale County, Sheriff because, I have the knowledge, skill and the abilities needed to manage a complex, professional law enforcement organization, that is dedicated to the community's needs. The Sheriff’s role is building partnerships with local school officials, law enforcement agencies and civic organizations. I can do that. As Sheriff of Rockdale County my crime prevention strategic plan, will focus on:

Ensuring that the agency is professionally recognized locally and nationally as a full accredited agency by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), the American Correctional Association (ACA), and the National Commission for Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). Crime prevention: Aggressively Fighting Gang Activity, Substance Abuse (especially Methamphetamine and its subsequent impact on increased street crime) and youth programs. Increased gang activity, the continued use of unlawful drugs (especially methamphetamine) continues to increase, causing a ripple effect on our children, families, schools, employees, and the public. Which property and identity fraud crimes are increasing in direct relationship to the use of illegal drugs. Ensuring the Joint-Partnership Youth-Based Crime Prevention Program with the Rockdale County Board of Education. Designed to ensure that there does not exist another episode of the Lost Children of Rockdale County due to illegal drug and gang activity. Ensuring Community Partnerships through Community/Neighborhood Oriented Policing to include quarterly Town Hall Meetings and increased coverage/visibility of services. I am committed to keeping the public informed on all the actions and functions of the Sheriff’s Office. I will directly communicate with business owners and residents to discuss community concerns, having an “Open Door Policy”. Enhance the agency’s responsibilities regarding Critical Incident Management, Special Operations, and Homeland Security. I will ensure that Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office will be a leader in the development of disaster response preparedness and mitigation. Enjance the diversity of the agency’s recruitment and selection process to represent the changing demographics of Rockdale County with “Professional Salaries and Compensations”. Enhance the Instructional Criteria and effectiveness of the Citizens Police Academy. Increase the overall technological capabilities of the Sheriff’s Office. Enhance Agencies appropriate Bias-Based Profiling and Mental Ill Persons Training for all Sheriff’s Office [Officer Survival]. Ensure the Safety and Security of Detention/Jail Operations: and a quality of life among those incarcerated and staff is provided. And improve Rehabilitation efforts for the incarcerated. Ensure that Court House Security is a major priority, with the conducting of semi-annual evacuation drills and testing procedures. I will continue collaborative efforts between the various Law Enforcement Agencies.

As your next Sheriff of Rockdale County, I will vow to be a Hands-on – Sheriff, supporting high police standards, ethics, and professionalism. I will develop solutions with Local, State, and Federal Authorities on Traffic Control/Engineering with the increase of residents in our county.

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In December, 2008, I received Masters Degree in Public Administration with emphasis in Justice Administration at Georgia Law Enforcement Command College, Columbus State University. My educational accomplishments have diversified my vision on implementing lessons learned to address emerging trends in law enforcement today, and special topics in demand. The future of law enforcement depends on the understanding of criminal and public administrative issues, the political, legal and social environments of policing, and advanced technical issues which govern our society for which we are responsible.

With over twenty-four progressive years of broad-based experience in law enforcement, nineteen of those years have been spent in supervision and management positions with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office in Atlanta, Georgia. During 1982 – 1985, I served as a Substitute Teacher and Adult General Education Instructor with the Atlanta Board of Education and the Fulton County Public Schools System. I’m currently assigned to the Division Commander/Agency Accreditation Manager of the Planning and Research Division of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. I’m responsible for the development of departmental accreditation compliance (American Correctional Association [ACA], Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies [CALEA], National Commission on Correctional Health Care [NCCHC]); policy and procedure development that governs the activities of 1000 + employees in their daily responsibilities as law enforcement officers, detention officers and civilian staff.

Previously, as the agency’s Accreditation Manager I was instrumental in the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Jail Bureau Detention Facility becoming the third jail/detention facility to receive its national accreditation under the American Correctional Association (ACA) in January 2003; and in June 2003, received national recognition as the twenty-third agency in the Country and the first agency in the State of Georgia, to receive the prestigious Triple Crown Award in areas of accreditation and management. Recently I was instrumental in the successful reaccreditation’s process. I also played an instrumental role assisting both 11th Circuit Federal Court monitor and Federal Court Receiver during the Jail Bureau’s compliance to Fambro, Foster and Harper Consent Decrees by, instructing personnel on issues relating to jail policies, procedures, practices, civil liability, constitutional rights of inmates/prisoners and accreditation compliance within the jail facility.

In addition to being the Jail Bureau's Policy and accreditation unit manager, agency’s Accreditation Manager; the Planning and Research Division, Commander/Deputy Sheriff Captain, I have served as: the Acting Division Commander for the Planning and Research Division (Captain/Senior Lt.), Shift Commander, Warrant Services Division (Lt.), Supervision and Management Training Coordinator, Fulton County Public Safety Training Center (Sgt.), and Jail Bureau (Sgt. /Dep.).

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I was born in Savannah, Georgia in 1958; the son of Chatham and Francene Ferguson; I resided in Manhattan, New York for fourteen years prior to relocating to Atlanta, Georgia in 1971. I’ve been a resident of Conyers, Georgia since 1997.

I attended P.S. 117 - Jefferson Park Jr. High School (‘62-’71) in Manhattan, New York; Southwest High School (Class of ’76) in Atlanta, Georgia; the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia - (Class of 1981 - B.A. Degree in Psychology & 1982, B.S. Degree in Criminal Justice) now the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia, Atlanta Board of Education BT-4 Teacher’s Certification in Behavioral Sciences, 1983; Exercise Design; Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Management Institute, 1994; Special Events Planning & Management Symposium; The Metropolitan Police Institute, Dade County, Florida, 1994, Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville (Graduate, 93rd AOC 1995 [6 graduate hours]), in Louisville, Kentucky; The Southwestern Law Enforcement Institute of the Southwestern Legal Foundation, (Administrative and Management of Training Course, 1996) in Plano, Texas; Federal Bureau of Investigations Intelligence Center at the United States Department of Justice (Liaison-Centennial Olympics, 1996); Master/Senior Instructor Certifications, Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (1997); F.T.O. Liabilities; and The Public Safety Institute, University of North, Florida, Orlando, Florida 1999, Georgia Law Enforcement Command College(2006-2008), Columbus State University - Masters of Public Administration (MPA)(2008).

My honors and affiliations include: State of Georgia, All- Performance track runner 1975 and 1976, Georgia High School Association, Jefferson, Georgia [5-AA State Record Holder Mile Relay Team 1975/1976]; The Atlanta Track Club Award 1975/1976 (middle distance events); Who’ Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities; Outstanding Young Men of America Award; West Georgia College Track and Cross County Teams; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; York Rites Mason, Majestic Knights Lodge No. 333; NYCCA, Youth Coach (Baseball, Football, and Basketball) [1989-2003] National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA); Georgia Women in Law Enforcement, Law Enforcement Training Managers Association; American Correctional Association; American Jail Association; Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies; Correctional Accreditation Managers Association; National Organization for Black Law Enforcement Executive; 16 yrs old AAU Assistant Basketball Coach;Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #64; National Sheriff’s Association; and the Georgia Sheriff’s Association.

I am the father of three children Donald DeAndre’ (attending Georgia Southern University) , Kandace Sherrice (attending University of West Georgia) and Darius DeShawn-Gregory (attending Lenor-Rhyne University). I enjoy coaching, music, basketball, track, attending plays, encouraging the youth and membership with The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church, Decatur, Georgia..

I take the concerns of all citizens of Rockdale County seriously. As a student of law enforcement, I’m capable of meeting the challenges and demands of each citizen of Rockdale County. This is why I am qualified to serve in the position of Sheriff of Rockdale County.

All Citizens of Rockdale County can contact me by e-mail dferg555@aol.com, and/or by mail P.O. Box 83126, Conyers, Georgia 30013.

Latest News!

Dems Pick Ferguson 7/16/2008

Sheriff candidates to hold campaign events 6/20/2008

CAMPAIGN SPEECH: The South Rockdale Civic Association
Political Campaign Forum 6/17/2008

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