Sheriff Eugene “Gino Rock” Brantley officially opened the doors of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office to the public Thursday under his new leadership, swearing in hundreds of certified officers, jailers, and non-certified staff during a ceremonies at May Park gym, just across from the sheriff’s headquarters.
Sheriff Brantley also unveiled the agency’s new logo for patrol vehicles and buildings, marking a departure from the previous administration. Unlike former Sheriff Richard Roundtree, whose name had appeared on signage, the new design simply reads “To Serve & Protect.” Sheriff Brantley’s name will only appear on letterhead and other materials where replacing it wouldn’t be cost-prohibitive when he eventually leaves office.
During his remarks, Sheriff Brantley emphasized the importance of the officers’ role in the agency’s success.
“Unless you all are out there making it happen, none of this is possible,” he told the gathered staff. “We can have great moments, we can have a great vision, but without the people who are actually making things happen, it doesn’t come to fruition.”
Sheriff Brantley, who officially took office at midnight Wednesday, brought nearly 100 new hires from agencies including the marshal’s office and Burke County. He took time to pose for pictures with the new officers and engage with staff, while introducing his new command team: Chief Leonard Hart, Col. Bo Johnson, Chief of Staff Lewis Blanchard, and Chief Deputy Robert Sams.
Sheriff Brantley also addressed ongoing efforts to improve compensation for officers. During his remarks, he told the crowd that he has requested a $5.3 million allocation from county commissioners to ensure that law enforcement personnel are fairly compensated.
“They want to give you the money, but they also want to see results,” Brantley explained. “So I’m asking you, when you’re out there, give them what they’re paying for.”
As part of these efforts, starting salaries for deputies are set to increase from $50,000 to $56,400 annually, while starting pay for jailers will rise from $41,000 to $51,258. In addition to these salary increases, Sheriff Brantley announced that certified employees with 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service will receive $1,500 stipends as a reward for their dedication and experience.
He encouraged his officers to “dream big,” even humorously suggesting that they could one day aspire to become sheriff—“of course, after I’m gone.”
Meanwhile, Maj. Chester Huffman has returned to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center to lead efforts aimed at addressing the facility’s ongoing issues with violence, contraband, and disrepair. Huffman, who was instrumental in the jail’s opening in 1997, is focused on repairing the aging infrastructure and tackling long-standing mechanical and maintenance problems.
The facility, which has been deteriorating for years, is overdue for an expansion.
