HENRY COUNTY, Ga. - Sheriff Reginald Scandrett said his perspective as a person of color with decades of experience in law enforcement will connect communities.
"There is no one in this county who does any want to be safe," Sheriff Scandrett said during his hour-long swearing-in ceremony.
"I am truly honored to stand here, I feel this is an assignment from God," he said.
The husband and father has lived in the county for nearly 30 years. He takes over for Sheriff Keith McBrayer, who is retiring. The new sheriff said he knows he has some big shoes to fill and some big symbolic shoes to wear in a county that is seeing changes. A veteran law enforcement officer, Scandrett said he is ready to make an impression on those who voted for him and even those who didn't--by starting with candid conversations.
"I have to make sure I have the back backs of our officers," he said. "I want to make sure they receive psychological testing twice a year."
The sheriff said his other priority is to rebuild public trust after a long season of unrest and frustration with law enforcement. Again, something he said must begin with candid conversations within the sheriff's office and the community it serves.
The ceremony, which included speeches from Henry County Commission Chair Carlotta Harrell and Senator Emmanuel Jones concluded with a prayer for both Sheriff Scandrett and former Sheriff McBrayer.
The new sheriff is a Democrat in a position traditionally held by a Republican. In his first speech, he emphasized being a "sheriff for all" no matter political values. Henry County "turned blue" this past election with the majority of residents voting Democrat.
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