Sheriffs’ offices in Georgia have many responsibilities such as providing courthouse se-curity, operating jails, transporting inmates and mental patients, performing traffic and law enforcement functions, registering sex offenders and more. Sheriffs are the chief law en-forcement officers of each county and have many mandated responsibilities by state law. As a result of these diverse responsibilities, sheriffs must be knowledgeable of the best prac-tices and procedures in many areas. Current concerns of law enforcement as they relate to the Office of Sheriff are addressed during training conferences sponsored by the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, Inc.

Walker County sheriff Steve Wilson recently returned from the association’s annual Summer Training Conference held in Greene County from July 21 through 23. Over 100 chief law enforcement officers from around the state participated in the three-day event. The sheriffs participated in multiple training sessions, received timely information from high level state officials and conducted association business.

The conference was devoted to training sessions to update the sheriffs on topics relevant to public safety and the Office of the Sheriff. Expert speakers provided training to the sher-iffs on legislative and legal issues, church safety and security and the use of force.

The sheriffs also heard from representatives of the Georgia Department of Corrections, U.S. Marshal’s Office, Georgia Peace Officer Standard and Training Council, Georgia Drug and Narcotic Agency and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Other highlights of the conference included the installation of the 2009-2010 officers for the Association. The newly elected officers include president, McDuffie County sheriff Logan Marshall; first vice president, Butts County sheriff Gene Pope; second vice president, Oconee County sheriff Scott Berry; and, secretary-treasurer, Putnam County sheriff Howard Sills. The honorable judge William B. Swan of McDuffie County presided over the installa-tion ceremony, administering the oath of office to the newly elected officers.

New officers installed for the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes, Inc. included president, Murray County sheriff Howard Ensley; first vice president, Forsyth County sheriff Ted Pax-ton; second vice president, Sumter County sheriff Pete Smith; and secretary-treasurer, Walker County sheriff Steve Wilson. Association General Counsel Chuck Byrd of Taylor County presided over the installation ceremony and administered the oath of office to the newly elected officers.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association, Inc. is comprised of 159 elected sheriffs with the sup-port of over 70,000 honorary members throughout the state who recognize and appreciate the service of the constitutional Office of Sheriff and the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes, Inc.