CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) - Sheriff Richard Coleman was officially sworn in as Chatham County’s new sheriff on Saturday evening, pledging to deliver on the promises he made during his campaign.
Coleman said his first priorities will include bringing back in-person jail visitation, addressing crime, and tackling mental health issues in the community.
“I just want to be known as a sheriff who served his people the way they wanted to be served,” Coleman said.
Coleman received a warm welcome at the swearing-in ceremony, which he said reflected the diversity of the county.
“Words can’t express the love that I received tonight from the community," he said. "As you looked out into the audience, you saw white, you saw Black, you saw every nationality represented here—and it speaks volumes for Chatham County."
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Coleman, says he's proud to serve as the first Black man elected as sheriff of Chatham County. He says by springtime, he plans to restore in-person jail visitation for inmates, which was replaced by video chats during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is what the citizens voted for; this is what they entrusted me for, so this is what I’m gonna give them,” Coleman said.
Coleman is replacing Sheriff John Wilcher, who served the county for nearly a decade. As sheriff, Coleman said he intends to take a more active role in crime-fighting.
“I’m gonna formulate some support units to help these other agencies get involved and help them in their crime prevention efforts so we can reduce the number of crimes," said Coleman. "We don’t want any more victims."
Coleman said these efforts involve traffic and patrol units and a criminal investigations division.
“The sheriff has to do it," said Coleman. "If all else fails in Chatham County, it is the duty of the sheriff to maintain law and order in that county."
