Dougherty County sheriff candidate Terron Hayes sees office as chance to make positive changes

ALBANY — Having observed Dougherty County Sheriff Kevin Sproul during his tenure in office, Chief Deputy Terron Hayes has seen how the office can not only fulfill constitutional duties and provide services to residents but also help make a positive impact in the community.

It was Sproul’s dedication to the county’s youths that the nearly 28-year law enforcement veteran credits for his move to the sheriff’s office, and now the chief deputy is seeking to replace his boss, who announced in August 2023 that he will not seek a fifth term in office. When Sproul made the announcement in the summer, the sheriff also endorsed Hayes.

Former Albany police officer and current Albany State University Police Department administrator Keithen Hall also has announced his intention to run in the May 21 Democratic primary race.

Hayes, who started his law enforcement career with the Albany Police Department in 1996, has assumed the youth outreach efforts that then-Capt. Sproul had been tasked with by his predecessor, Jamil Saba.

“I want to continue to make a difference in our community by working with the youth and the citizens and other organizations that will better help advance our vision at the sheriff’s office,” Hayes said.

Among those youth outreach programs are a summer program operated by deputies and Albany police officers; Shop With the Sheriff, which provides Christmas gifts to young people who may otherwise not receive any; and a youth intervention program whose goal is to get youngsters who are struggling back onto a positive path in life.

“We know we can’t reach them all, but those we can reach, we’re trying to reach them as effectively as we can,” Hayes said. “When I was a police officer, that was the saddest thing I would see, taking somebody to jail. That’s the thing that made me want to reach out to youth. I saw how Capt. Sproul took a great interest in that. I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve implemented programs with youth and families.”

Some of the main constitutional duties given to sheriff’s offices in the state include serving court papers, attending Superior Court sessions, court security and other court-related matters. The sheriff’s office also operates the Dougherty County Jail.

“I would be the sheriff for the people of Albany, Dougherty County, be the one to take the time and look into things and aggressively handle matters that need to be handled in a timely manner,” the candidate said of his dedication to duties.

A big factor in carrying out those tasks effectively is having a qualified staff, and law enforcement agencies across the country have had trouble in recent years in finding and keeping employees.

To meet that need, Hayes said he would work with the Dougherty County Commission to ensure that the staff has competitive pay and the equipment needed to do their jobs. For individuals already employed, he is looking at ways to help employees pursue college degrees at no cost.

“Recruitment is very important,” he said. “We’re getting really good, strong individuals, men and women. Once we get these officers, we’ve got to be able to retain them (with) benefit packages that make them want to stay in Albany/Dougherty County.”

Making up the final two of the “four Rs” of his campaign platform are addressing recidivism and rehabilitation. That includes a “jails to jobs” program Hayes said he would like to implement to help those who are incarcerated receive training and work opportunities.

“We want to give them an opportunity, and we hope and pray they take advantage of that opportunity,” he said. “We’re going to be looking at recidivism. We’ve got to find a way to help people stay out of jail, find them an opportunity to get an education. Not only doing that, but finding a way for them to go to work.”

Hayes said he also hopes to implement a sheriff’s foundation to bring community resources and businesses to provide young people opportunities to promote sports and other interests as well as job-training opportunities.

“I love this community,” Hayes said. “I’ve worked very hard in this community. I’ve raised my kids in this community. I live in this community.

“That’s why I’m so adamant about giving back to this community. Every day I wake up I ask what I can do to help, because if I can’t do that, there’s no point in me running for sheriff.”

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