At the close of March, we initiated contact with all Paulding County candidates, extending an invitation for them to address common questions posed by the community. Enclosed are their unaltered responses to these inquiries, providing insight into their respective stances. While not all candidates opted to participate, we believe that understanding their viewpoints is pivotal in making informed decisions as constituents.
Ashley Henson’s ANSWERS
Tell us about yourself. My name is Ashley Henson, and I am running for Paulding County Sheriff. I am a lifelong resident of Paulding County. I graduated from East Paulding High School in 1996 and then attended the University of West Georgia, where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and a Master’s Degree in Sociology with an emphasis on Criminology. While finishing my Master’s Degree, I began my career with the Paulding County Sheriff Office in September of 2002 under Sheriff Bruce Harris.
I have been married to my college sweetheart, Jodie, for nearly 21 years. Jodie is an elementary school administrator with the Paulding County School District; she is in the process of earning a Doctorate in School Improvement with an area of concentration in Educational Leadership. Together, we have two teenage boys, Asher and Breck; our children are 9th generation Paulding County residents. We reside just outside of the City of Dallas on our family farm where we raise cattle, bees, and chickens. We are members of the Dallas First United Methodist Church.
I began my career with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office as a Jailer in the Paulding County Jail in 2002. Shortly thereafter, I attended Peace Officers Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.) Basic Mandate Training and transferred to the Uniform Patrol Division. was later transferred to the K-9 Division, where I handled dual-purpose law enforcement K- 9 Grep under the direction of Captain Gary Gulledge, prior to his election as Sheriff. During our 8 years working together, K-9 Grep and I were responsible for locating hundreds of
pounds of drugs and numerous criminals.
In January of 2012, I was promoted to Corporal and tasked by Sheriff Gulledge as the full- time Public Information Officer for the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. In this role, I was responsible for being the point of contact between Sheriff Gulledge, the Sheriff’s Office,
and the community, both in the media and the public.
In March of 2012, I joined the SWAT Team, where I was a sniper. Eventually, I served as the sniper team leader, overseeing and directing sniper operations for the SWAT Team. In November of 2022, I completed and achieved the coveted P.O.S.T. SWAT Officer Certification. For this certification alone, I completed more than 500 hours of training and at the time, I was only 1 of 10 people to achieve this certification in the entire State of Georgia.
In March of 2022, I served as the driving force in the completion of grants through the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA), which allowed the Sheriff’s Office to receive a Lenco Bearcat G3 armored vehicle for the SWAT Team. I
retired from the SWAT Team in March of 2023 after 11 years of service.
In total, I have earned more than 5,600 hours of Georgia P.O.S.T. certified training in my
career. My full training profile can be viewed online here.
- P.O.S.T. Level IV / Master Instructor
- P.O.S.T Level III / Senior Instructor
- P.O.S.T. General Instructor
- P.O.S.T. Use of Force Instructor
- P.O.S.T. Driver Training Instructor
- P.O.S.T. Precision Immobilization Technique (P.I.T.) Instructor
- P.O.S.T. Defensive Tactics Instructor
- P.O.S.T. Firearms Instructor
- P.O.S.T. Shotgun Instructor
- P.O.S.T. SWAT Officer Certification
- C.R.A.S.E. Active Shooter Training Instructor
- A.L.I.C.E. Active Shooter Training Instructor
- P.O.S.T. Senior Deputy Certification
- P.O.S.T. Management Certification
- P.O.S.T. Supervisory Certification
- P.O.S.T. Advanced Certification
- P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certification
- P.O.S.T. Field Training Officer (FTO) Certification
- P.O.S.T. RADAR / LIDAR Certification
- P.O.S.T. Crisis Intervention Team Training (C.I.T)
- P.O.S.T. Basic Peace Officer Certification
- P.O.S.T. Jailer Certification
In addition to this training and these certifications, I have spent a large portion of my career working hand-in-hand with all of the government entities in Paulding County to spread awareness about the Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement operations. I regularly teach active shooter training to civilian groups in Paulding County, as well as the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Citizen’s Handgun Safety Class.
I am very invested in Paulding County and have spent many years serving on boards and organizations throughout the community:
- Alcohol/Drug Awareness Program Host (2013 – Present)
- University of West Georgia Criminology MA Advisory Committee (2023)
- Paulding County High School Principal Selection Committee (Dec. 2023)
- Paulding Comprehensive Transportation Plan Stakeholder Member (2012, 2022)
- Paulding Public Safety Appreciation, Inc. Agency Advisory Board Member (2012 –
Present) - CareLink of Northwest Georgia Advisory Board Member (2014 – Present)
- Paulding County School District Superintendent’s Advisory Board Member (2018 –
Present) - Paulding Board of Commissioners Employee of the Month Committee (2020 –
Present) - Wellstar Paulding Hospital Regional Board Member (2022 – Present)
- United Way of Paulding County Board Member (Chairman 2022 – 2023)
- Jess Rousey Honoring Heroes Foundation, Inc. Board Member (2023 – Present)
- Paulding Chamber of Commerce, Horizon Award recipient (2019)
My wife and I are both recent graduates of the esteemed Leadership Georgia program for 2023. This is one of the premier statewide leadership programs in the United States. Leadership Georgia prepares strong and effective leaders for the future development of the
State of Georgia. I am also a 2014 graduate of the Paulding Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Paulding 24 Class.
What motivated you to pursue a career in law enforcement, and how has your experience prepared you for the role of Sheriff? While in college at the University of West Georgia, I took an elective in Criminal Justice. One class and I was hooked; I knew immediately that my calling was in law enforcement. I did an internship with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and countless ride-alongs with the Carrolton Police Department. As I was finishing my Master’s Degree, Sheriff Bruce Harris put me to work as a Jailer at the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. Shortly thereafter, after many conversations with Sheriff Harris at the start of my career, I realized through conversations with Sheriff Harris that I, too, wanted to be the Sheriff of Paulding County one day.
Everything I have done in my career has been purposeful for this moment. I have spent my entire career at the Sheriff’s Office learning, growing, and personally preparing so that when my time came to run for Sheriff, I would be equipped with the knowledge and skills to take the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office to the next level.
Leadership is a behavior, not a title. My career thus far has been spent working hand-in- hand with people from all areas of the Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement, and in the community. I have a very clear understanding of the wants and needs of our Deputies, and
I will work to ensure they receive the support they need to be able to do their jobs as
effectively as possible.
As Sheriff, I will be present, engaged, and actively involved in all aspects of keeping our community safe. I have the education and experience to lead the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office into the next era of law enforcement.
How do you plan to ensure accountability and transparency within the Sheriff’s Office? One of the first tasks I will undertake as Sheriff will be to work on outfitting our Deputies with body cameras. By doing this, we will have the ability to quickly and efficiently review interactions to gain clarity and gather additional information if and when it is needed. This not only increases transparency but improves accountability and safety for both our citizens and our Deputies.
As a Sheriff’s Office, we will always conduct ourselves with the utmost professional decorum. I will continue to promote continued education and training to empower our Deputies, equipping them with the tools necessary to make sound decisions in difficult situations. We will continue the use of Review Boards for instances of vehicle pursuits, use-of-force incidents, and officer-involved accidents. Any alleged misconduct will be thoroughly investigated by our Office of Professional Standards. We will utilize various outlets (press releases, the Sheriff’s Office Mobile App, social media, and others) to inform the public of important, immediate, or ongoing activities of interest in
a timely manner.
I also believe in fiscal transparency. Our state and federal governments offer a wide variety of grants and funding opportunities for public safety and law enforcement. We must proactively seek out these opportunities and seize every dollar we are eligible to obtain. As your Sheriff, I will ensure we are being efficient, transparent, and fiscally responsible.
Can you outline your strategy for recruiting qualified candidates to join the department? As detailed in my platform, our people are our most important asset. For far too long, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office has hired and trained quality individuals, only to lose them to other agencies shortly into their careers. Many of the key components of my platform require an increase in manpower. I believe loyalty inspires loyalty.
My primary focus will be to create a culture in which people are eager to invest in their long-term careers at the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. I will work to boost morale within the Sheriff’s Office, retain quality employees, support our tenured staff, incentivize education and training, and fill the 49 vacant positions. I will work with the Paulding County Board of Commissioners to improve our employees’ wages, healthcare, and retirement benefits.
The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office currently has a SWAT Team, a three-person K-9 Division, a three-person Crime Suppression Unit, and are members of the West Metro Drug Task Force. Specialized units like these are vital to law enforcement; they help combat violent crime and maintain safe communities. We must strengthen the existing specialized units and explore opportunities to establish additional specialized services to meet the growing needs of Paulding County.
Opportunities in specialized units like those mentioned above aid in developing a culture that is enticing to law enforcement professionals who are passionate about keeping communities safe.
How do you plan to retain experienced deputies and ensure their job satisfaction and well-being? As a leader, you have a responsibility to do what is right, not what is easy, comfortable, or convenient. In all working environments, employees desire to feel appreciated and supported – the Sheriff’s Office is no different. Our Deputies must make split-second decisions every day. They work in a high-stress, fast-paced environment. As outlined above, I believe loyalty inspires loyalty. My primary focus will be to create a culture in which people are eager to invest in their long-term careers at the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. I will work to boost morale, retain quality employees, support our tenured staff, incentivize education and training, and fill the 49 vacant positions currently available. I will work with the Paulding County Board of Commissioners to improve our employees’ wages, healthcare, and retirement benefits.
It is vital that our employees be given fair compensation, opportunities for growth, and acknowledgment of their drive, dedication, and good deeds.
What measures would you implement to address concerns related to compensation for deputies and ensure competitive pay? While multiple pay-scale studies have been conducted at the Sheriff’s Office in recent years, we need to take a holistic approach to improving the salaries and benefits of our Deputies. While a better starting pay is essential, we must also look at the pay compression rate for senior officers.
We need to conduct a pay scale study, analyze the findings, create an understandable salary scale, and make calculated decisions about the steps that need to be taken to improve the compensation for our Deputies.
What initiatives would you implement to enhance training and professional development opportunities for deputies? In 2009, I approached the Sheriff about creating a training and education incentive pay program to encourage deputies to constantly strive to better themselves and to provide them with avenues to seek higher wages. In 2022, the Sheriff’s Office finally adopted a program that provides incentive pay for Senior Deputy, Supervisory, and Management certifications. I would like to expand upon the current program to provide additional opportunities for deputies who seek advanced training, professional development, and higher education. For example, I plan to create a tier-based incentive program for varying college degrees: Associates, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Degrees. Similar programs for training and other P.O.S.T. approved certifications will also be considered.
How do you plan to address concerns related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Sheriff’s Office? The Sheriff’s Office needs to be having regular conversations with our minority communities. We must be color-brave and have the crucial conversations that will make our minority residents know that their voices are heard and that they are well-represented and protected. Community events like Town Hall Meetings and “Coffee with a Cop” are examples of ways we can bridge the gap between law enforcement and our community.
What steps would you take to enhance community policing efforts and build trust between law enforcement and residents? Throughout my career, I have always been actively involved in community events like the Paulding Cops for Kids, Inc., Touch a Truck, Alcohol Drug and Awareness Day (ADAD) at Paulding County schools, and the Paulding Public Safety Appreciation Run with the Badges 5K Glow Run; we will continue to engage with the community and our youth through these events and others.
I plan to increase the number of community classes offered by the Sheriff’s Office, including Citizen Handgun Courses, Active Shooter Classes, Neighborhood Watch Meetings, and others.
Can you discuss your approach to handling cold cases and unsolved crimes within the county? Paulding County has multiple cases that the public would consider “cold cases,” some of which are more well-known than others. The Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is currently comprised of 5 Detectives who each have a caseload of more than 30 active cases. Of these five, one has been promoted to a Corporal in the Uniform Patrol Division but is pending transfer due to lack of manpower within CID. A second is transitioning to a part-time position. We need to increase the manpower in this division so that the Detectives have the ability to give each case the attention it needs and deserves.
As explained in my platform, I plan to implement a Cold Case Squad to investigate unsolved, open, and active cases that have grown stagnant. Our Detectives will partner with other agencies and detectives who may be able to provide a fresh perspective and
alternative resources in an effort to bring closure to these victims.
How would you prioritize resources and allocate funding to support investigations into cold cases? As indicated in the previous question and response, the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) currently has multiple vacant positions. The lack of manpower puts a strain on all the Detectives in the Division. The salaries for the vacant positions are already allocated within the existing budget. These positions need to be filled with qualified individuals who can alleviate the strain of the unreasonable caseloads and provide a fresh set of eyes to cases that have grown stagnant with time.
Can you outline your vision for modernizing the Sheriff’s Office and leveraging technology to enhance operations and investigations? One of the fundamental components of my platform for Sheriff is being Innovative: Embracing positive change. It is no secret that we are living in a rapidly changing world, and as a result, we must constantly explore and adapt to new ideas and technologies.
First and foremost, our Deputies must be outfitted with body cameras for the safety and transparency of both citizens and Deputies. Technology is ever evolving though. When I am elected, I will continue seeking out and seizing new opportunities for growth as modern concepts emerge.
In recent years, I spearheaded and launched the Paulding Sheriff mobile app, which is a way for our citizens to stay informed and connected. I also worked with local, state, and federal officials to secure grants for a Lenco BearCat G3 armored vehicle for our SWAT
Team.
I will also actively work to streamline systems and processes, retiring any antiquated concepts, across the Sheriff’s Office to improve our efficiency. I will continually seize opportunities for growth and development for the betterment of the Sheriff’s Office.
What measures would you implement to address concerns related to mental health and crisis intervention training for deputies? The mental health crisis is real, and our Office needs to work in conjunction with state and federal leaders to ensure that individuals who have been impacted by mental health concerns receive the help they need. The Jails in the State of Georgia are not mental health facilities, our state needs places for these men and women to receive the proper care for their illnesses.
Once elected, I would also like to see all of our Deputies and Jailers receive the 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training course. As a graduate of the class, I understand and appreciate how beneficial this training truly is. We will continue to ensure that our Deputies and Jailers receive the most current training when it comes to mental health.
How would you handle issues related to misconduct or complaints against deputies within the department? As stated above, our office and our Deputies will conduct ourselves with the utmost professionalism at all times. We will always maintain fairness, respect, professionalism, and integrity in the way that we interact with our citizens. Complaints and misconduct will be addressed in the same manner. We will always maintain transparency when conducting investigations of this nature. In situations where it is warranted, we will bring in outside agencies like the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to investigate alleged misconduct.
The implementation of Body Cameras for all of our Deputies will help ensure transparency, increase community trust, and reduce false reports of misconduct.
What steps would you take to address substance abuse and addiction issues within the county? We will continue to work diligently to combat the drug problem in Paulding County. By strengthening our Crime Suppression Unit, K-9 Unit, SWAT Team, and Drug Task Force we will be better equipped to curtail the drug problem. We will also encourage our Uniform Patrol Deputies to be more proactive rather than reactive during the course of their duties.
Furthermore, we need to enlist the assistance of the federal government by joining and partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and placing some of our Deputies on their multijurisdictional task forces.
How do you plan to collaborate with local government agencies, community organizations, and residents to address crime and public safety concerns? Balance is a key component to success. For every criminal we take off the streets, we have an equal responsibility to engage our community in other positive ways.
The Sheriff’s Office must be in tune with the concerns of the county’s residents. I plan to implement regular Town Hall Meetings in each post across the county so that the Sheriff’s Office and our initiatives are readily available to all members of the community. It is important that our citizens have regular opportunities to hear from us and that, in turn, we also have the opportunity to hear from our citizens.
I will ensure the Sheriff’s Office continues to invest time working with community organizations and local government agencies to spread awareness about the Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement operations.
How do you plan to handle issues related to juvenile delinquency and implement programs to prevent youth involvement in criminal activity? Paulding County is comprised of exceptional people who deserve to feel safe at home, at school, and on the road. One of my primary areas of focus as your Sheriff will be to ensure the safety of our children in our schools. I will work to strengthen our School Resource Officer Division by increasing training for these individuals to hone their capabilities. I will also partner with the Paulding County School District to help combat issues like school safety, drugs, and gang-related activity on campus and within our communities.
By creating a safer community and decreasing the opportunities our youth have to engage in criminal behavior, we will cultivate a healthier environment for our children.
We will continue to educate our youth on the dangers of drugs and criminal activity through programs like Alcohol Drug Awareness Day (A.D.A.D.) and Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.).
Can you discuss your approach to handling protests or civil unrest within the county while ensuring the protection of First Amendment rights? As a law enforcement agency, our job is to uphold the Constitution of the United States. I will always put the safety and security of Paulding County residents first while ensuring we are working within the bounds of the law. Peaceful protest and the expression of First Amendment rights are welcome, but unlawful behavior will not be tolerated.
How do you plan to address challenges related to budget constraints and resource allocation within the Sheriff’s Office? We have a responsibility to use every tax dollar efficiently, transparently, and responsibly. We have an excellent relationship with the Paulding County Board of Commissioners, which is the governing body that allocates funding for the Sheriff’s Office.
Local SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) dollars are also vital to the Sheriff’s Office. These funds are used for vehicle and equipment purchases. Additionally, our state and federal governments offer a wide variety of grants and funding opportunities for public safety and law enforcement. We must proactively seek out these opportunities and seize every dollar we are eligible to obtain.
When I am elected Sheriff, I will comb through the budget and adjust the allocation of funds to reduce any unnecessary spending and better support areas of the budget that need to see growth. We will continue to work hard to ensure that we are using our citizens’ tax dollars in the best way possible to keep our community safe.
Can you discuss your approach to addressing the opioid epidemic and other public health crises affecting the county? The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office needs to work proactively rather than reactively to address the opioid and drug epidemic. The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office currently has a SWAT Team, a three-person K-9 Division, a three-person Crime Suppression Unit, and are members of the West Metro Drug Task Force. Specialized units like these are vital to law enforcement; they help combat violent crime and maintain safe communities. We must strengthen the existing specialized units and explore opportunities to establish additional specialized services to meet the growing needs of Paulding County, now and in the future.
By strengthening the specialized units mentioned above, we can increase drug enforcement in the county, working specifically to combat narcotics traffickers. We also need to work with the District Attorney’s Office to aid in the conviction of those trafficking and selling illegal narcotics. Our goal is to stop crime at the County line.
Additionally, all mandated Deputies must be trained and equipped with Narcan to assist individuals experiencing an overdose. To further help these individuals, our Deputies must continue working with the Drug Court Program to aid in the rehabilitation of our citizens impacted by the ongoing drug epidemic.
How would you prioritize efforts to combat domestic violence and support victims within the community? Domestic Violence is a prevalent problem within our community. In 2023, there were over 5500 domestic violence calls received by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office.
We need to work closely with our Solicitor General and District Attorney to ensure that Domestic Violence offenders are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Creating a Domestic Violence Task Force comprised of our Detectives and staff from the Solicitor and District Attorney’s Office would be a way for victims to receive the help that they need. Victims of Domestic Violence need to also be made aware of local resources that are available to them to help them get out of these dangerous situations.
What steps would you take to improve overall public safety in our community, beyond traditional law enforcement methods? We are going to proactively enforce the laws of the State of Georgia. Our Deputies will be conducting traffic stops, slowing motorists down, working more accidents, and stopping crime at the county line before it comes into our neighborhoods and homes.
We will work hard to make sure that our Deputies are equipped with the best resources, knowledge, equipment, and training available to fight crime and protect our citizens.
As previously mentioned, balance is a key component to success. For every criminal we take off the streets, we have an equal responsibility to engage our community in other positive ways. By increasing Deputy presence throughout the county and decreasing the opportunities for individuals to engage in criminal behavior, we will create a safer community for our citizens.
Can you discuss your plans for enhancing emergency preparedness and response capabilities within the Sheriff’s Office? The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office is comprised of exceptional individuals who put their lives on the line to protect our citizens every day. We will partner with the Paulding Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that we are always prepared for any “what if’s” that might occur. We will lean on the expertise of PEMA, GEMA, and FEMA when it comes to emergency management preparedness.
What is your long-term vision for the Sheriff’s Office, and how do you plan to measure success in achieving your goals? Another fundamental component of my platform for my candidacy for Sheriff is Forward Thinking: Planning today to ensure success for tomorrow. To ensure the long-term success of the Sheriff’s Office, it is vital to determine where we want to go and how we plan to get there. Working strategically and proactively allows us to make better use of our resources and work more effectively to keep our community safe.
According to Paulding County Economic Development, Paulding County’s population has increased at nearly twice the rate as the rest of Georgia over the past 10 years, and projections show that it will grow by 56% over the next 15 years. For the betterment of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and the long-term safety of Paulding County residents, I will focus on improving the culture of the Sheriff’s Office, filling the vacant positions with well-trained and highly-qualified Deputies, and growing the Office to meet the growing needs of the County. Each of these goals are contingent upon the other and when all are achieved, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office will be primely positioned to protect our community, now and into the future.
Additionally, we invite you to provide a closing statement that you feel we may have missed, allowing you to share any additional thoughts or insights with the community. Leadership is a behavior, not a title. I will lead our Sheriff’s Office, our employees, and our citizens by example. I will be present, engaged, and actively involved in all aspects of protecting our community.
I am dedicated to the long-term success of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, and I am determined to make Paulding County a safe haven for its residents – today, tomorrow, and far into the future.
If you have additional questions, I would encourage you to visit my website www.AshleyHensonforSheriff.com or reach out to me directly via email at ashleyhensonforsheriff@gmail.com or by phone at (770) 686-5858.
I would appreciate your consideration for Sheriff on May 21st. I look forward to the opportunity to lead Paulding County into the next era of law enforcement.
