Gerald is from Hall County, and resides there today. 

Gerald has served as jailer, patrol deputy, field training officer, investigator, sergeant and lieutenant with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. He previously served as a major in the Gainesville Police Department where he was second in command to the Chief of Police. 

Gerald Couch is the Hall County Sheriff. He was elected to this position in 2013, and has served two terms.  

As sheriff, oversaw technological investments, including developing a criminal intelligence unit aiming to identify crime trends and examine electronic evidence, providing online warrants, a digital subpoena system.

Made efforts to improve school security by providing four additional roving school resources officers and three school K9’s handled by SRO’s.

Established a resiliency and mentorship program, aimed to help employees deal with possible stressful situations.

Formed a prison wing dedicated for mental health with developments in progress, including the REACT program with AVITA mental health.

Oversaw efforts to reduce vehicle crashes with the Patrol and Traffic Enforcement Unit, reporting fatalities decreasing 53% from 2022 to 2023.

Plans to focus on improving law enforcement training.

Wants to increase salaries and benefits for all first responders.

- As sheriff, oversaw technological investments, including developing a criminal intelligence unit aiming to identify crime trends and examine electronic evidence, providing online warrants, a digital subpoena system.
- Made efforts to improve school security by providing four additional roving school resources officers and three school K9’s handled by SRO’s.
- Established a resiliency and mentorship program, aimed to help employees deal with possible stressful situations.
- Formed a prison wing dedicated for mental health with developments in progress, including the REACT program with AVITA mental health.
- Oversaw efforts to reduce vehicle crashes with the Patrol and Traffic Enforcement Unit, reporting fatalities decreasing 53% from 2022 to 2023.
- Plans to focus on improving law enforcement training.
- Wants to increase salaries and benefits for all first responders.

Public Safety

As of March 19, 2024, Gerald Couch’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jail Management

As Sheriff, collaborated with the County Commission in deciding to invest in Body Cameras, Mobile Data Terminals, a new Records Management System and Jail Management System, aiming to enhance law enforcement services.

Helped install programs for the Sheriff's Office, including a program that handles Sheriff’s Office data such as policy, promotions, training, and state certification, and the "Sheriff to Citizen” portal, which highlights online crime reporting, list of inmates in custody, daily crime events and crime maps.

Completed over 3,800 hours of advanced law enforcement training and education, including supervision and management.

- As Sheriff, collaborated with the County Commission in deciding to invest in Body Cameras, Mobile Data Terminals, a new Records Management System and Jail Management System, aiming to enhance law enforcement services.
- Helped install programs for the Sheriff's Office, including a program that handles Sheriff’s Office data such as policy, promotions, training, and state certification, and the "Sheriff to Citizen” portal, which highlights online crime reporting, list of inmates in custody, daily crime events and crime maps.
- Completed over 3,800 hours of advanced law enforcement training and education, including supervision and management.

Criminal Justice

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Gerald Couch

Jim is from Georgia. He holds a bachelor's degree from Georgia State University. He is married to his wife, Caryl, with whom they have three children and four grandchildren. He is a member of the Highlands Church in Gainesville. 

Jim is currently retired. He previously worked as an agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and a probation officer for the State of Georgia.  

Ballotpedia

Jim Hammock's campaign for County Sheriff in Hall County is his first entry into politics. 

Election preview: Couch faces primary challenge from Hammock in Hall sheriff's race

Believes the Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad should be reinstated to address drug issues.

Wants to create a citizen's advisory board, aiming to connect with the community and learn about citizen concerns. 

Advocates for increased training for lieutenants and above by sending them to the FBI National Academy.

Plans to be positive to you, tough on crime and positive, aiming to keep morale high in local law enforcement. 

- Believes the Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad should be reinstated to address drug issues.
- Wants to create a citizen's advisory board, aiming to connect with the community and learn about citizen concerns. 
- Advocates for increased training for lieutenants and above by sending them to the FBI National Academy.
- Plans to be positive to you, tough on crime and positive, aiming to keep morale high in local law enforcement. 

As of March 19, 2024, Jim Hammock’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to form multiple groups with local agencies, aiming to identify and address crime such as drugs, human trafficking, gangs, and property crimes.

Wants to grow leadership by developing a Leadership Mentoring program and have those in leadership attend the FBINA (FBI National Academy) and Georgia LEEDS (Law Enforcement Executive Development Seninar).

- Plans to form multiple groups with local agencies, aiming to identify and address crime such as drugs, human trafficking, gangs, and property crimes.
- Wants to grow leadership by developing a Leadership Mentoring program and have those in leadership attend the FBINA (FBI National Academy) and Georgia LEEDS (Law Enforcement Executive Development Seninar).

Jim Hammock

The County Sheriff is an elected official who acts as the chief law enforcement officer in their county. They are tasked with operating the county jails, keeping courtrooms secure during trials, and keeping the public safe through proper law enforcement. Each Sheriff's Office in Georgia may look a little different in how they hire and run their teams, but all County Sheriffs have the same duties. These duties include the following:

- Operating the county jail
- Providing court security
- Serving civil papers
- Executing arrest warrants
- Providing primary law enforcement within unincorporated areas of the county
- Working with city law enforcement officers to keep municipalities safe

The County Sheriff and their office are unique to other law enforcement agencies in that it has to answer to the people it serves. Historically, a turnover in the Sheriff’s office will likely result in noticeable change within the office, so voting for this office is a very effective way to vote approval or disapproval for how county law enforcement is conducted.