LinkedIn

Facebook

Lists drug interdiction as a top priority.

Wants to create a citizen course to address property safety and crime deterrence and plans to utilize technology in the course.

- Lists drug interdiction as a top priority.
- Wants to create a citizen course to address property safety and crime deterrence and plans to utilize technology in the course.

Public Safety

Rabun County

Secured $500,000 in grant money to purchase equipment, improve training, implement new technology, improve victim services, and upgrade the shooting range.

Wants to increase staff to respond to the increased volume of calls the department is receiving.

In response to problems with retention in the County, he said, "The jail setting is a major challenge for some." To remedy this issue, he wants to offer incentive packages to increase interest in law enforcement as a career.

Joined human resource organizations to gain ideas on how to gauge employee satisfaction and increase recruitment and retention.

Said, "I have never been over budget since being in office."

Partnered with the community to secure $200,000 in donations for rifle rated ballistic vests and new patrol rifles for all certified employees.

- Secured $500,000 in grant money to purchase equipment, improve training, implement new technology, improve victim services, and upgrade the shooting range.
- Wants to increase staff to respond to the increased volume of calls the department is receiving.
- Supports increasing employee pay.
- In response to problems with retention in the County, he said, "The jail setting is a major challenge for some." To remedy this issue, he wants to offer incentive packages to increase interest in law enforcement as a career.
- Joined human resource organizations to gain ideas on how to gauge employee satisfaction and increase recruitment and retention.
- Said, "I have never been over budget since being in office."
- Partnered with the community to secure $200,000 in donations for rifle rated ballistic vests and new patrol rifles for all certified employees.

Jail Management

Promises to focus on inmate and youth programs.

Wants to expand programs and courses and partner with outside organizations to address the "mental health crisis."

- Promises to focus on inmate and youth programs.
- Wants to expand programs and courses and partner with outside organizations to address the "mental health crisis."

Criminal Justice

Chad K. Nichols

Supports coordinating with mental health professionals for the safety of the public.

- Supports coordinating with mental health professionals for the safety of the public.

As of May 17, 2024, Mark Anthony Gerrells did not have a website or any information online.

Refers to himself as a "constitutional sheriff," which he defines as refusing to enforce any laws that violate the "constitutional rights" of citizens.

- Refers to himself as a "constitutional sheriff," which he defines as refusing to enforce any laws that violate the "constitutional rights" of citizens.

Mark Anthony Gerrells

Plans to implement active shooter training, four times per year for all school resource officers, and twice a year for all sworn Deputies

Wants to increase monitoring of gang activity in the area.

Plans to increase officer training, including topics such as trauma first aid and mental health awareness.

Wants to establish a special response team that trains officers on advanced weapons and tactics.

- Plans to implement active shooter training, four times per year for all school resource officers, and twice a year for all sworn Deputies
- Wants to increase monitoring of gang activity in the area.
- Plans to increase officer training, including topics such as trauma first aid and mental health awareness.
- Wants to establish a special response team that trains officers on advanced weapons and tactics.

As of May 20, 2025, Marty Talley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Marty Talley

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.

Rabun County Sheriff, Republican Primary

Election results

Runoff election

Candidates (3)

Compare candidates

Public Safety

Jail Management

Criminal Justice