The goal of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office is “to be recognized as the kind of professional organization that values, respects, and honors the rights and dignity of the entire community. Through an abundance of collaborative efforts, the NCSO is committed to improving life in every aspect for its citizens, businesses, schools, colleges/universities and visitors.”
Since the inception of the global pandemic, it has created unprecedented, immeasurable impacts on households throughout America, heightening concerns regarding our competency to endure ineffaceable health and financial impairments.
A series of polls conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and NPR, result in a sizable number of households not protected from serious consequences of the pandemic throughout countless areas of our lives.
The results of a series of Coronavirus polls present a national glance regarding the difficulties developing from the pandemic with respect to household finances, occupations, health maintenance, housing, transportation, caretaking, and well-fare. Research was conducted among 3,454 adults, eighteen (18) years of age or older throughout the United States.
COVID-19 is absolutely devastating law enforcement agencies around the country and has radically affected the operational landscape of same. Fire and rescue and first responders have remained on the front lines of response, handling medical emergencies and managing the social consequences of COVID-19, inclusive of concurrently providing safety and reassurance to various communities.
The risk of exposure to COVID is extreme for first responders, and some law enforcement officers have succumbed to the disease. Stay-at-home directives have also altered peoples’ routines, impacting crime patterns, anarchy, traffic incidents, and other incidents to which
officers routinely respond. Consequently, the pandemic has significantly impacted law enforcement agencies and their operations.
According to data compiled by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, of the 264 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2020 throughout the United States, in excess of 132 died of COVID-19. The data doesn’t include the number of officers unable to work because of COVID-19; however, the NLEOMF report noted that 145 officers nationally died from complications related to the novel coronavirus.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, 633 officers have died in the line of duty in year 2021. Of that number, 454 died as a result of COVID-19.
As your Sheriff and the leader of this agency, please know that I genuinely care about your safety, as well as the safety of your respective families, and will do as much as humanly possible to ensure that the work environment is totally harmless. It is my hope and prayer that you will take precautionary measures by washing your hands, social distancing when possible, and wear a mask.
Ezell Brown Sheriff
Sheriff Ezell Brown, a native of Blakely, Georgia, was elected the first African American Sheriff of Newton County, Georgia, on Nov. 4, 2008. He worked in law enforcement in Newton County for more than 35 years before being elected as the Sheriff. Currently, he has more than 45 years of law enforcement experience and oversees a full-service department of approximately 243 employees and more than 300 inmates.
Sheriff Brown began his career in law enforcement in 1973 as a patrolman with the Covington Police Department. In 1977, he joined the Newton County Sheriff’s Office where he was operative in every capacity of law enforcement; he demonstrated leadership through progressive supervisory experience.
Throughout his tenure in law enforcement, Sheriff Brown has received countless achievement awards, accolades, and distinctions in recognition of his service and community involvement. He currently serves as the Regional Vice President of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, Region 2, representing all Sheriffs in the metropolitan area, and he serves as the Chaplain for the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association. He also serves on the Georgia Probation Subcommittee for the Council of Criminal Justice Reform; the Board of Directors for the Newton County Salvation Army; the Executive Board Georgia
Over the past 12 years, Sheriff Brown has produced substantial benchmarks for the Newton County Sheriff’s Office including: creation of an Office of Professional Standards (OPS) and Internal Affairs (IA) Division; achievement of state and national accreditation from National Commission of Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) and American Correctional Association (ACA) for the Detention Center; receiving accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office has been reaccredited by each agency.
Under the leadership of Sheriff Brown, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office obtained the elite status of becoming a Triple Crown Agency. There are 159 Sheriff’s Offices in the state of Georgia and more than 3000 in the United States. As of 2019, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office is one of six in the state of Georgia and 71 in the United States to acquire this esteemed level of certification.
Sheriff Brown is married to Janice Brown, and they are proud parents of five children and grandparents of seven.
Chief Jerry Carter has been in law enforcement for more than 35 years, having begun his career in 1985 with the Covington Police Department. He also served as a member of the Covington-Newton County SWAT Team.
In 2003, Chief Carter became an Investigator with the Alcovy Judicial Circuit, where he achieved the rank of Chief Investigator. In 2007, Chief Carter attended the Chief Executive Training Course through Peace Officer Standard and Training Council to become a Certified Chief Executive Officer in Georgia. In the same year, he also graduated from Troy University with his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. He then pursued and received a Master’s in Criminal Justice from Troy University in 2008.
In 2009, Chief Carter was appointed as the Chief Deputy for the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, where he is second in command under Sheriff Brown. Chief Carter completed the FBI LEEDA training and received the FBI LEEDA Trilogy Award in 2018.
Major Sammy Banks has been in law enforcement for more than 34 years. He started his law enforcement career while serving in the U.S. Army in 1984. He returned to Georgia in 1986 to attend the Clayton County Police Academy, then he started employment with the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, where he held the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant, and Senior Sergeant.
From 1992 through 1998, Major Banks served the community of Lake City, Georgia, as its Police Chief. Following his service to the Lake City Police Department, he began his work with the Office of Inspector General until 2006 when he joined the Newton County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division.
Major Banks was promoted to Corporal in 2008, then to Detention Administrator (Captain) in 2009. He served as Detention Administrator (Captain) until 2015 when he was asked to fill the position of Captain of the Uniform Patrol Division serving under Sheriff Brown. He was promoted to Major in 2021.
Captain Marty Roberts has been in law enforcement since 1985. He manages the operation and security of the shipping services, receiving services, and outside maintenance; and oversees the safety and security of inmate workers.
Captain Tom Kunz has been in law enforcement since 1981. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Uniform Patrol, Traffic Unit, School Resource Officers, C.H.A.M.P.S., and Community Outreach.
Captain Brice Smith is responsible for administering the daily operations of the Detention Center, Work Release, Transport, Warrants, and Inmate Services.
Brandy Burch is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Human Resources, Grant Management, managing financial accounts: forfeited and seized funds/real estate property, and strategic planning.
Juanita Threadgill is the Sheriff’s Secretary. She has been with the Sheriff’s Office for more than 30 years. She is responsible for supervising the daily functions of the administrative staff and civil processing.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center have come a long way from its primitive and humble beginnings to reach the state of the art facility we have today.
In the 1807 land lottery, the Creek Indians ceded their lands to the government and from the lands Jasper, Walton and Henry counties were formed. On December 24,1821, the state legislature used parts of the three counties to form a new county called Newton; named in honor of Revolutionary War hero Sgt. John Newton.
The first brick building, located in the eastern part of the county in the community of Winton, was built using bricks shipped from England. The total cost of construction was the grand sum of $200. Because of this building, the area later became known as the Brick Store community. For many years, the Brick Store community served as the county seat, with the building being used for various things such as a stagecoach stop, store, home, classroom, and courtroom. Also, it served as a jail in the event someone was found guilty and sentenced. Without bars on the doors or windows, a Court Officer was appointed to sit by the stove fire and guard the prisioner at night. Although it would often leak badly, the building weathered many storms during it’s years of service. Even with the passage of time, the old Brick Store is still standing today as a great monument of a bygone, but not forgotten era of Newton County.
The first Sheriff, Lemuel Wynne, was appointed to the office on January 25, 1822, and he took the oath of office on March 15, 1822.
The first jail in Covington burned while still under construction. Soon after, a second jail was built just off the square behind the historic courthouse. It was known as a calaboose and was similar to the one room calaboose that still stands in Porterdale. The jail was used for many years until it was deemed unfit to house inmates. In August of 1901, work had begun on a new jail located on the corner of Stallings Street and Court Place, which was later renamed Hunter Street. The building was
considered state of the art at the time with a construction cost of around $10,000. The first sheriff to occupy the new structure was Samuel Hay. The jail had a capacity of 40 inmates. The sheriff lived on the premises and in the summer had a vegetable garden to provide meals for the inmates.
In 1985, Deputy Sheriffs did not have assigned units so everyone shared a “pool car.” Depending on the shift, there were two to four Deputy Sheriffs on patrol, and the cars ran twenty-four hours a day, stopping only when they needed to be serviced. At the time, Captain Morris Jones was in charge of the patrol division and Lieutenant Garland Curtis was in charge of the jail. The Sheriff’s Office operated its own dispatch center and when manpower was short, Officer Tommy Lee Thomason split his duties working two nights in the jail and two nights on the radio. Other Detention Officers were Sergeant Raydene Thomason, Sergeant Minnie Kate Wilborn, Gwen Hightower and several others. Some of the patrol deputies were Lieutenant Ezell Brown, Deputy Henry Goss, Sergeant Cleo Banks, Deputy Darrell Henderson, and Sergeant Jimmy Byrd. Vivian Ramsey was the dayshift radio operator.
Jack B. Simpson, a native of Barnesboro, Pennsylvania, was widely recognized as the oldest living peace officer in the country up until his death on August 5, 2020, at the age of 96.
Simpson was involved in some of the most prominent times in American history, such as World War II and the Civil Rights Movement. His legacy ultimately began with a simple dream: to become an FBI Agent, which he was determined to follow.
Following his graduation from high school, Simpson landed a clerical job with the FBI as a fingerprint classifier, as he was unable to become an FBI Agent until he obtained a degree in law or accounting, which was economically unfeasible at the time.
By 1939, Simpson volunteered to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was sent to Camp Butner, North Carolina, where he trained and became a Combat Infantry Soldier. As a light artillery gunner, he was involved in the invasion of Anzio Beach in Italy and southern France, earning two Bronze Stars.
After the war, Simpson returned home and earned his Bachelor’s
Degree, then his Master’s, through the GI Bill. An inspector from the FBI encouraged him to take the test to qualify as an agent while he was working as a teacher, in addition to being a student in his first year of law school. He passed the test and for the next 23 years, he served as a special agent for the FBI.
During his time as a special agent, Simpson was involved in some of the most vital moments of the civil rights movement, such as “The Stand in the Schoolhouse Door” at the University of Alabama in 1963, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr in 1968, and the Lemuel Penn murder investigation.
Once he departed from the FBI, Simpson served the next 35 years in law enforcement. He began working as a part-time Investigator with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office in 1999, where he worked three days a week. He did most of his investigative work on the phone and computer. He also taught diversity classes to Deputy Sheriffs as part of the block training at the Sheriff’s Office.
“Mr. Jack Simpson set the tone for the women and men who clocked in and out of our office every day. He showed up, did his job, and made sure that his fellow officers represented our profession,” said Sheriff Ezell Brown. “He helped us garner much from the past and helped us look forward to an even richer future. He was a walking history book, author, speaker, and even found time to write a column for The Rockdale Citizen. He actually lived the history that most of us read about in textbooks, and we are blessed that he freely shared it with us.”
Simpson was married to Dorothy “Dottie” Simpson, and together, they parented four children.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is committed to the goal of providing excellent law enforcement services to all its citizens. In a large part, reaching that goal depends on managing the agency’s most important resource: the dedicated employees, who are on-duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Training has often been cited as one of the most important responsibilities in any law enforcement agency. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the importance of training and is committed to providing the best training available to all personnel.
The goals of the agency’s training program are to meet mandatory entry-level and in-service training requirements; encourage and provide better-educated, more professional personnel; provide more efficient and effective accomplishments of departmental goals and objectives; provide career development opportunities within the department; provide training in specialized areas of law
enforcement; and provide consistency in training with the departments’ law enforcement responsibilities.
Human Resources acts as a catalyst to enable all Newton County Sheriff’s Office employees to contribute at optimum levels toward the success of the agency. This department is responsible for promoting ethical and legal conduct in individual and business practices, as well as hiring qualified employees.
In support of the agency’s principles, values, vision, and mission, it is
the commission of Human Resources to support the total operation in meeting desired goals through the agency’s employees.
The primary goal of the Grant Administration Unit at the Newton County Sheriff’s Office is to seek grant funds for the agency. The Grant Administrator works closely with the Sheriff, Leadership Staff, Finance, IT, and the Project Manager. The Grant Administrator applies for grants, communicates the rules and regulations for all grants, con-
Inv. Veronica Williams and Major Sammy Banks prepare for the 16th annual Sex Offender Compliance Check on Oct. 31, 2022.
ducts research, identifies potential grant resources, develops and implements strategies for obtaining grants, ensures grant applications are submitted and completed, schedules meetings with the desired teams as necessary, manages and conducts annual or bi-annual audits, maintains proper documentation, prepare monthly and quarterly reports, and performs other duties as assigned by the Sheriff.
FY21 STATE HOMELAND SECURITY (HSGP)
STATE CRIMINAL ALIEN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SCAAP)
The FY21 HSGP grant provides funds to focus on preventing, mitigating, responding to, and recovery of acts of domestic threats.
SCAAP provides federal payments to states and localities that incurred correctional officer salary costs for incarcerating undocumented criminal aliens with at least one felony or two misdemeanor convictions for violations of state or local law, and incarcerated for at least 4 consecutive days during the reporting period.
FY21 RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT (RSAT)
FY20 NALOXONE STATEWIDE INITIATIVE
The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program assists states and local governments in the development and implementation of substance use disorder treatment programs in state and local correctional and detention facilities.
Applicants are limited to units of local government and state law enforcement agencies which operate within Georgia that demonstrate their community would benefit from a grant-funded project that covers the cost of naloxone kits as well as ongoing law enforcement training in naloxone administration, implementation standards that commit to report in the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP), and best practices for engaging with people suffering from opioid addiction.
FY22 LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM
The program is designed to grant funds on a competitive basis to qualified state and local law enforcement agencies to support training for law enforcement officers in one of the following: Use of Force and De-escalation, Crisis Intervention, and Mental Health.
FY21 JAG
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DETECTION K-9
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions.
The purpose of this funding to maintain existing K9 teams. The funds will be utilized to provide veterinary care for annual and emergency care, specialty K9 nutrition feed, and purchase supplies related to K9 response.
The Office of Professional Standards (OPS) serves many functions within the Sheriff’s Office, with the primary goal of ensuring the integrity of the agency and its employees.
OPS functions include intensive pre-employment background investigations of all selected applicants, researching and implementing Standard Operating Procedures, documenting commendable employee performance, investigating allegations of employee misconduct, and law enforcement certification. Additionally, OPS oversees records, the body worn camera program, and the Flock Safety program.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages commendations for personnel who perform their job admirably. The personnel of the Sheriff’s Office understand that hard work and selfless service are necessary components of being in law enforcement. However, personnel receiving recognition for a job well done is an outstanding complement and always appreciated.
To submit a commendation or complaint, individuals may contact the Sheriff’s Office at 678-625-1413, visit the Sheriff’s Office and speak with a OPS personnel, or visit the official Sheriff’s Office smartphone application.
The Law Enforcement Accreditation Program was the first credentialing program established by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) after its founding. Originally, the program as developed to address the need to enhance law enforcement was a profession and to improve law enforcement service delivery.
CALEA is open to all types of law enforcement agencies on an international basis. It provides a process to systematically conduct an internal review and assessment of the agencies’ policies and procedures, as well as to make adjustments wherever necessary to meet a body of internationally accepted standards.
CALEA Accreditation requires an agency to develop a comprehensive, well thought out, uniform set of written directives. This is one of the most successful methods for reaching administrative and operational goals while also providing direction to personnel.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office received its first CALEA accreditation in March 2017, and the agency has since been reaccredited.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office underwent its triennial recertification audit to ensure its detention facility met the standards established by the ACA from March 29, 2022, through March 30, 2022. The audit was conducted by three auditors: Katherine Brown, chairperson; Bruce Denny; and Timothy Lippett.
The standards created and defined by the ACA are intended to improve facility operations through adherence to clear standards relevant to all areas/operations of the facility, including safety, security, order, inmate care, programs, justice, and administration.
During a three-day visit, the auditors assessed the Newton County Detention Center’s commitment and
dedication to ensuring the safety of all staff, inmates, and visitors, which the auditors praised Sheriff Brown and staff for during the briefing held on March 30th in the NCSO Training Room. The auditors were impressed with the prompt response to the inmates’ needs by the detention center staff, and they found no complaints from the inmates regarding the actions of the staff.
In the final analysis, there were a total of 383 standards, of which 60 were mandatory and 323 were nonmandatory. The NCSO was rated 100% on all standards by the auditors which showed not only the professionalism displayed by the agency but the level of proficiency the agency continued to maintain since its last recertification audit in 2018. The NCSO has scored 100% on all standards since the initial certification in 2016.
Additionally, the three auditors mentioned how impressed they were with the inmate programs offered by the Newton County Detention Center; thus, they recommended the agency conduct workshops for other detention facilities across the state and country.
Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office were awarded their third National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) Reaccreditation Award during the Newton County Board of Commissioners meeting on July 21, 2020.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with NaphCare, met 100% of the 37 essential standards and 19 important standards required to receive its third reaccreditation, effective June 11, 2020.
The NCCHC accreditation provides the Newton County Sheriff’s Office with evidence of a standards-based system of care for inmates; improved health status and outcomes; and reduced public health risks when inmates reenter the community. There are 59 individual standards, with close to 400 compliance indicators, required for full accreditation.
In February 2014, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office met the standards to be awarded its first accreditation by the NCCHC. There has only been an estimated 15% of counties across the United States that have achieved NCCHC accreditation.
The Uniform Patrol Division is the largest and most visible function of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. This division is the first line of services to the citizens of Newton County and is lead by a Patrol Captain. Each shift is supervised by a Lieutenant, Sergeant, and Corporal. The Deputy Sheriffs assigned to this division provide patrol and emergency law enforcement services to Newton County 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Patrol duties include responding to various criminal and civil complaints, crime prevention, enforcement of traffic laws, and public service assistance. Each unit is equipped with a Mobile Data Computer (MDC), enabling the deputy sheriffs to commu-
nicate with other units and dispatch.
The Uniform Patrol Division patrols and responds to all calls for service within the 276-square miles radius of Newton County. Also, this division provides law enforcement services to the cities of Mansfield and Newborn. With the Sheriff’s Office providing these cities with law enforcement services, the cities are able to maintain local control and identity while saving significant money. The citizens living in these cities are provided with a larger and more experienced law enforcement agency with greater resources.
The Civil Unit is responsible for serving civil process papers received from the Newton County Superior Court and other jurisdictions. In addition to process service, this unit executes court orders, including temporary protective orders (TPO), evictions,
writs of possession to seize personal property, and probate orders to apprehend and collect judgments issued by the courts.
Additionally, the Civil Unit seizes and auctions both personal and real estate property when a defendant fails to voluntarily pay a judgment.
The School Resource Officer Unit assigns law enforcement officers to Newton County’s middle and high schools to ensure that no student’s right to receive an education is hindered by violence or disruption.
The high-profile Deputy Sheriffs assigned to this unit are involved in a variety of functions aimed at prevention. The Deputy Sheriffs are a resource for students, parents, teachers, and administrative personnel
regarding law issues.
Additionally, the Deputy Sheriffs are a link to other service agencies that provide preventive and counseling services within the school district. Working hand-in-hand with the principal in each school and school board, the Deputy Sheriffs assist with finding solutions to problems afflicting today’s school-age children.
The primary goal of the Traffic Unit is to reduce the number and severity of traffic accidents and traffic safety violations within Newton County. This unit encourages voluntary compliance with traffic laws through public education and selective traffic
enforcement.
In addition to the enforcement of traffic laws, the Traffic Unit is responsible for investigating serious motor vehicle accidents,vhit and run accidents, and funeral escorts within the county.
The K-9 Unit consists of two K-9 dogs. Each K-9 and their handler receive extensive specialized training in each area of service that they perform.
The K-9s are highly effective in locating lost or missing persons, such as small children and individuals with Alzheimer’s, as well as locating fleeing suspects and escapees.
The K-9 handlers take their assigned canine home at the end of their
shift, and the canine becomes a part of their family.
In addition to scheduled shifts, the K-9 Unit is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The unit responds regularly to assist not only the NCSO but neighboring agencies.
The Newton County Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) team was formed in 1979. Sheriff Ezell Brown was one of the founding members of the S.W.A.T. Team, and Chief Deputy Jerry Carter was also a member of the S.W.A.T. Team.
The S.W.A.T. Team is composed of twelve highly-trained Deputy Sheriffs from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. The Deputy Sheriffs assigned to the S.W.A.T. Team use specialized
Deputy Johnny Robinson, a school resource officer, spins fresh cotton candy during the annual Back to School Supply Giveaway held on July 30, 2022, at Newton High School.
weapons and tactics to serve high-risk arrest warrants, deal with hostage situations, barricaded or armed individuals, and serve many high-risk search warrants.
The S.W.A.T. Team is staffed with hostage negotiators, medics, and two certified snipers.
The West Side and East Side Precincts are open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding county-recognized holidays, for citizens to file reports, pick up copies of incident reports, accident reports, background checks, or simply ask questions. Additionally, the West Side Precinct consists of the Newton County Tax Accessor’s Office and the Newton County Tax Commissioner’s Office. Citizens can pay their taxes, purchase tags, and file their property tax assessments at the West Side Precinct.
In partnership with the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center, Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office will be opening a precinct at the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center to increase law enforcement presence on the south side of Newton County. The South Side Precinct will not be open to the general public; however, it will be a safe location for Deputy Sheriffs to write reports, follow-up with other deputies on calls for service, and meet with investigators to discuss active cases. The South Side Precinct will be open to Deputy Sheriffs in the near future.
The agency’s Special Investigations Unit is stationed at the Sheriff’s Office Annex, which is not open to the general public.
The Criminal Investigations Division (CID) has the primary responsibility of investigating and following up on crimes committed against person and/or property in Newton County. CID is composed of several investigative units, including Major Felony Unit, Crimes Against People Unit, Crimes Against Property Unit, Crimes Against Children Unit, Crime Scene Investigations Unit, Sex Offender Registration Unit, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Taskforce Unit, and Crime Analysis/Criminal Intelligence Unit.
Newton County Deputy Sheriffs who possess the proper experience, training, and work experience have the opportunity to be promoted to Investigators. Investigators are assigned cases that stem from incident reports completed by the Uniform Patrol Divison. The Investigators examine the evidence and form leads that ultimately lead to the arrest of a suspect(s).
The Crime Scene Investigations Unit is responsible for documenting crime scenes, including identifying, collecting, and preserving evidence. Crime Scene Investigators, who receive specialized training in crime scene processing and evidence collection, process evidence collected and submitted by other divisions of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sex Offender Unit is responsible for registering and monitoring all sex offenders in Newton County. The Sex Offender Unit ensures that all offenders abide by any court-ordered restrictions and laws through community supervision and compliance checks. Investigators assigned to the Sex Offender Unit routinely work with the Department of Community Services to effectively monitor offenders.
Annually on Halloween night, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Department of Community Supervision, hosts the Sex Offender Compliance Check for registered sex offenders residing in the Newton County area.
The Special Investigations Division (SID) is composed of Deputy Sheriffs from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office who investigate cases involving narcotics and other vice crimes that occur within Newton County. SID regularly works in conjunction with state and federal agencies to target these crimes.
In a response to the increased crime in Newton County, Sheriff Ezell Brown created the Newton County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit (CSU). CSU is a specialized team of Deputy Sheriffs who report to Sheriff Brown and Chief Jerry Carter, with the sole mission of improving the quality of life for the citizens of Newton County.
In a response to the increased crime in Newton County, Sheriff Ezell Brown created the Newton County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit (CSU). CSU is a specialized team of Deputy Sheriffs who report to Sheriff Brown and Chief Jerry Carter, with the sole mission of improving the quality of life for the citizens of Newton County.
CSU consists of one supervisor and four Deputy Sheriffs. Personnel assigned to CSU are responsible for concentrated patrols in high crime areas where crime trends may have increased. Their attention focuses on the reduc-
tion of crime in those areas and the apprehension of the criminals responsible for those crimes.
Working no preset schedule or geographic region, this unit maintains the flexibility needed to be utilized in vice crimes, counter-narcotics details, special operations, and apprehension of the county’s most wanted persons.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office has implemented an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Program to directly assist with the prevention of crime, the apprehension of criminals, the preservation of the public peace, and to protect the personal/property rights of the citizens of Newton County.
The UAS Program will operate in coordination with law enforcement officers conducting a specific mission as guided by the Certificate of Authorization (COA) issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These operational procedures are designed to minimize risk to people, property, and the aircraft during the operation of the UAS while continuing to safeguard the right to privacy of all persons.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office believes the Unmanned Aircraft System is saving lives and changing the way Deputy Sheriffs are approaching missions.
The Gang Unit’s primary responsibility is to gather intelligence and information on gangs and other threat groups within Newton County. This includes locating and photographing gang graffiti, identifying and interviewing gang members and associates, and developing community sources and relationships in an effort to further intelligence gathering and investigative efforts. The Gang Unit is responsible for investigating all gang-related crimes and violations of the Georgia Street Gang and Terrorism Act. Personnel assigned to the Gang Unit receive extensive and ongoing training in all areas of gang investigations and intelligence gathering.
The Gang Unit works closely with the agency’s Jail Staff in identifying and documenting gang members and gang associates within the Newton County Detention Center. The Gang Unit also works closely with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
The Newton County Detention Center is responsible for the care and custody of inmates, in addition to the protection of inmate rights and the delivery of inmate programs and medical services.
The Detention Center’s Administrative Support and Detention Operations Personnel are responsible for the day-to-day functions of the Detention Center, including classification; housing; identification; intake; release; kitchen; inmate property; laundry; bonding; inmate commissary; data entry; accounting; records retention; visitation; and transport control.
Support Services acts as the supporting arm for the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. Personnel assigned to Support Services provide to the needs of all employees and inmates. Support Services manages the operation and security of shipping and receiving services and outside maintenance; oversees the safety and securty of inmate workers; and many other duties assigned by the Sheriff.
The Warrants Unit is responsible for the service of arrest warrants issued by the courts, and regardless of the originating court’s jurisdiction, the warrant service is completed. Deputy Sheriffs assigned to this division also cooperate with federal law enforcement agencies, including participating in the U.S. Marshals Operation Falcon, a nationwide effort to apprehend persons with felony warrants.
The Newton County Sheriff’s
Office joined the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force with the U.S. Marshals Office, which provides the agency with a superior resource that, in return, greatly benefits the citizens of Newton County. The Sheriff assigned a full-time Deputy Sheriff to the U.S. Marshal Service.
The Newton County Special Response Team (S.R.T.) was created on July 27, 2004, to ensure the security of the Newton County Detention Center as well as the safety of all detention officers and inmate residents. The S.R.T. is called upon to handle all levels of disturbances within the Detention Center. Additionally, S.R.T. routinely conducts searches of detention cells to ensure that no contraband was brought into the facility.
Newton County’s SRT was the first “county team” to be State Certified in Georgia. S.R.T. has also been certified as a “Tactical Squad” that can be deployed should surrounding agencies call for its assistance.
The Transport Unit is responsible for handling all day-to-day transport functions of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office throughout the southeastern United States.
Some of the daily duties of the Transport Unit include: transporting convicted inmates, juvenile offenders, mental patients to different facilities.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office provides a Marine Patrol Unit during peak times of the boating season on Lake Jackson, which borders the south side of Newton County. This patrol of Lake Jackson is a joint effort to ensure boater safety and is a partnership with Jasper County, Butts County, and the State Department Resources.
The Sheriff’s Office currently utilizes one jet boat and a flat-bottom riverboat to patrol the waterways in Newton County. Each watercraft is manned by certified deputies who
Women’s Welding Graduate Sharlene Clark gifts Captain Brice Smith with a handmade steel deputy sheriff badge during the Spring 2022 Women’s Welding Training Program Graduation held inside the Newton County Sheriff’s Office Training Room on Aug. 19, 2022.
have completed extensive training in Georgia boating laws and boater safety.
The Marine Patrol Unit is able to respond to calls for service, assist stranded boaters, and ensure boater safety by enforcing Georgia’s DUI laws on the waterways of Newton County.
RSAT is a grant-funded program that targets high-risk, high-need inmate residents with a history of mental health and substance abuse resulting in crime-producing behavior that leads to correctional supervision.
GED is a battery of tests to certify the inmate resident’s aptitude, knowledge, and skills. It is designed for those that never completed high school.
#1 Dads program promotes responsible fatherhood, healthy marriage, and economic stability through the provision of workshops, case management, and job skills training.
Industrial Development program, which is a work-forced-based program, is grant-funded and provides inmate residents with on-site training for rigging, cranes, forklift operation, aerial lift, OSHA 10, CPR/First Aid/ AED, and Sigma 6. After the completion of training, inmate residents are provided with 12 months of mentored
coaching and employment search and placement assistance.
Inmate residents will learn the soft skills necessary to excel in a work environment.
Anger Management is an evidence-based program that teaches inmate residents how to manage anger effectively, stop violence or the threat of violence, and develop self-control over thoughts and actions, and accept and receive support from others.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)AA is designed to help alcoholics by presenting information through a 12-step program and help bring recovery.
Double Trouble is a 12-step program ran by Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network that services those who are dually diagnosed with mental health and substance abuse.
Grief Recovery helps inmate residents overcome their relationships to pain, isolation, and loneliness caused by significant emotional loss.
Money Management assists inmate residents with their personal finances by providing helpful information for basic budgeting skills, debt, credit and banking services.
MRT, an “evidence-based practice,” is a systematic, cognitive-behavioral, step-by-step treatment strategy designed to enhance self-image, promote growth of a positive, productive identity, and facilitate the development of higher stages of moral reasoning.
Celebrate Recovery helps break the cycle of dysfunction in families that gives tools that lead to healing and openness.
Parenting Value helps create a personalized blueprint filled with useful
information and tools for successful fathers and creating nurturing relationships with children.
Plan of Action is a Biblically-based program that assists with forgiveness, trust, and moving forward in their lives.
RU Rocvery is a faith-based approach to behavior modification to achieve freedom from addictions.
Yoga classes are held by Yellow Mat Yoga.
Substance Abuse Matrix Model is an integrated therapeutic model incorporating cognitive behavior, motivational enhancement, individual supportive/expressive psychotherapy and psychoeducation, twelve-step facilitation, group therapy, and social support.
Beyond Trauma is designed to help women and girls recover from the effects of trauma in their lives.
The Fatherhood, Brotherhood, and Motherhood programs teach personal development, goal setting and achievement, decision-making, problem solving, interpersonal and family relationship development, financial management, and stress and anger management.
Increases Choices to Effective Solutions (C.H.O.I.C.E.S.)
Increases Choices to Effective Solutions (C.H.O.I.C.E.S.) encourages participant to think about their life challenges, builds awareness, and motivates them to do something different.
Inmate residents, who have already been screened, perform a variety of tasks that otherwise would be contracted to private services, such as working in the jail kitchen and laundry room, in addition to landscaping, painting, and janitorial duties at government offices, including the the courthouse. Work Force provides inmate residents with certifications in Welding, Industrial Associate, and Manufacturing.
Work Release was initiated in 2003 by the Newton County Sherif’s Office, Superior Court judges, and the Probation Office. Inmate residents approved for participation are allowed to report to their jobs and then return to the jail at designated hours after work.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office’s Court Services Division is responsible for fulfilling the Sheriff’s constitutional responsibility to provide comprehensive law enforcement and security services to the Newton County Superior Court and the Newton County Administration Building.
Deputy Sheriffs and support staff operate the courthouse’s entry and identification system, inclusive of managing security screening equipment; patrol courthouse facilities and grounds; provide security at stationary positions, which include monitoring closed-circuit television; provide security escort services for Judges, court personnel, jurors, and other designated individuals; prepare various reports and records; securing unattended courtrooms; inspect of courtrooms before and after proceedings; and provide security presence in the courtroom.
Sheriff Ezell Brown dedicates this page to the late Honorable Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr., who transitioned on July 1, 2020. As a true public servant, his legacy will continue to live on in the Newton County community.
Newton County renamed and dedicated the Judicial Center to the Judge Johnson on Feb. 5, 2021.
Chaplain James Walden took a moment to hug one of the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program graduates during a graduation held inside the Newton County Sheriff’s Office Training Room on Nov. 16, 2022.
The Chaplain Unit is assigned to the Detention Division of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. Members serve under the Director of Chaplains, who is appointed by the Sheriff. All Chaplains are administered the Oath of Office by the Sheriff
The Chaplin Unit complements and supports the functions and personnel of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. While maintaining the highest standards, chaplains perform skillful and devoted services in an exceedingly professional, proficient, and encouraging fashion. They thoroughly comprehend their roles and diligently serve the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the greater Newton County community with empathy, integrity, and positivity.
All members of the Chaplain Unit are licensed and ordained clerics, who represent a diverse community of faiths. A number of these volunteer humble servants are faith-based Pastors, inclusive of leaders of other faith-based and community organizations throughout the greater Newton County expanse. Although they serve in a secular setting, Chaplains possess the competence to provide spiritual assistance and guidance upon request.
These dynamic and delightful men and women of faith are graduates of the Basic Chaplains’ Training Academy and successively endorsed by the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association of Chaplains. Additionally, they attend continuing education classes periodically, which further enhance their
knowledge and skills, that assist them in effectively addressing physical and emotional crises of every variety and magnitude.
Chaplains are available to the Sheriff and his Executive Leadership Team, Deputy Sheriffs, Detention Offiers, the Administrative Staff, and other personnel, inclusive of their respective families, communities, neighborhoods, and schools on a continual basis.
Chaplains provide comfort and support to victims of crimes and disasters such as, but not limited to, homicide; suicide and attempts; child/elder abuse; sexual assault; domestic violence; traffic accidents; family and children demises; natural disasters; loss of residences due to fire; runaways; natural mortalities; drownings; industrial accidents; and missing persons. They also commence crisis care at emergency scenes for professional rescue personnel and citizens, in addition to providing critical incident stress debriefings.
Sheriff Ezell Brown dedicates this page to the late Chaplain David M. Jones, who transitioned on Jan. 3, 2021. Sheriff Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office thank Chaplain Jones for his many years of service to the citizens of Newton County.
He will be missed.
The Community Outreach Unit connects the Newton County Sheriff’s Office with the community through collaborative programs and services. The Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Unit is committed to bridging the gap between the community and law enforcement by establishing positive relationships with citizens and mainting high standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethics.
Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety (C.H.A.M.P.S.) is taught to every fifth grader in Newton County Schools. The subject matters covered during the program are as follows: drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse prevention; gangs and violence; peer pressure/bullying; internet safety; methamphetamine; and cocaine.
Lesson plans are tailored for particular schools based on that school’s needs. The course is facilitated by a Deputy Sheriff who has become certified to teach by the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association.
It is the goal of the Deputy Sheriffs to teach the students what they need to be successful in the future, in addition to ways to avoid the obstacles they will face along the way. The Deputy Sheriffs are responsible for leaving a lasting positive impression on each student, and the deputy sheriffs hope to counteract the negative image often projected by the media.
Sheriff Ezell Brown attends each C.H.A.M.P.S. graduation to extend words of encouragement to the students. He challenges all graduating students to become “NBA” stars: Never Be Arrested.
The C.H.A.M.P.S. program is funded locally by business, companies, and individuals in our community without the use of any tax revenue.
Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the United States, bringing citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime and make communities safer.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office has been committed to promoting Neighborhood Watch Programs throughout our community for several years. To be successful as a
law enforcement agency, the Sheriff’s Office relies on our citizens to be its eyes to combat crime. Together as a team we can make a difference.
For any individual interested in having a representative from the Sheriff’s Office give a presentation to their neighborhood, please call 678-625-1400 for more details.
The safety of all Newton County citizens is of the utmost importance to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. The majority of auto and residential burglaries reported to the Sheriff’s Office listed “no force” as the means of entry. Despite the awareness efforts, the agency continues to see a trend within the community.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit offers safety tips, including preventing identity theft, to citizens through the Sheriff’s Office at www.newtonsheriffga.org, in addition to providing safety tips during events and programs. The Crime Prevention Unit also provides church security assessment/seminars to churches within Newton County jurisdiction.
Cpl. Patrick Gilbert passes a lighter to Sheriff Ezell Brown for the unity candle lighting ceremony held during the National Faith and Blue 2nd Annual Corporate Prayer event on Covington’s Historic Square on Oct. 9, 2022.
Deputy Kimberly Cox hugs one of the Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety (C.H.A.M.P.S.) program graduates during a graduation held at Livingston Elementary School on Dec. 15, 2022.
Property Watch is a service offered by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office to citizens residing within the Newton County jurisdiction. The service is available to property owners/renters that intend on being away from their homes or place of business for an extended period. As time permits and calls for service allow, Deputy Sheriffs will make every effort to periodically stop by and check on the security of the residence/business while the homeowner/renter is away.
To place a request for service, a form must be completed online at the Newton County Sheriff’s Office website at www.newtonsheriffga.org, or in person at any Newton County Sheriff’s Office facility. Once approved, the program will be activated for the location by a designated Newton County Sheriff’s Office personnel. The “Property Watch” incident will become active on the departure date of the property owner/renter and will be deactivated when the property owner/renter returns.
The Public Information Officer (PIO) serves as the liaison between the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the community, and members of the news media. The PIO is responsible for providing accurate and timely information, as appropriate and in accordance with Georgia law, the news media (print and broadcast) and public.
The PIO is responsible for media inquiries, distributing the press releases and public service announcements, and serving as the Sheriff’s Office representative at local events and meetings. Additionally, The PIO works closely
with the Webmaster to design and publish the agency’s monthly newsletter, as well as maintain all social media accounts.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office began utilizing Nextdoor in 2020 to help make neighborhoods stronger and safer. Nextdoor is the neighborhood hub for trusted connections and the exchange of helpful information, goods, and services. It’s where communities come together to greet newcomers, exchange recommendations, and read the latest local news. Where neighbors support local businesses and get updates from public agencies.you
The Sheriff’s Office plans to share important news and emergency notifications that are relevant to each and every neighborhood in Newton County. Please be assured that each neighborhood’s Nextdoor website remains private; the Sheriff’s Office staff will not be able to see any of the content on your neighborhood except for the direct replies to our posts.
The Sheriff’s Office looks forward to communicating with citizens on Nextdoor to make Newton County an even better place to live. mation.
