Community Corner

NAACP Calls on Alleged Abuse of Suspects to Cease

The president of the Georgia NAACP asks anyone with information on alleged abuses by the Barrow County Sheriff's Office to step forward.

Edward DuBose called the alleged abuse of crime suspects and county inmates in Barrow County “egregious acts.”

DuBose, the president of the Georgia NAACP, stood on the steps of the historic courthouse in downtown Winder on Thursday, June 9, joined by supporters to ask anyone with information on such abuses to step forward.

“I came to Winder, Georgia, Barrow County, to say to law enforcement, those who may be guilty of these acts, your time is running out,” DuBose told deputies, some in uniform, in attendance. “I’m told that even some of the sheriff’s deputies that may be out here today are responsible. We’re going to uncover you.”

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The news conference was prompted by five documented cases of alleged abuse by deputies with the and reports of inmates being abused while incarcerated at the .

The NAACP is calling for an immediate end to any such abuse and is pushing for the Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into the allegations.

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“These acts will be investigated,” DuBose said. “A person incarcerated does not deserve to be treated like a dog.”

DuBose said he had not yet spoken to Sheriff Jud Smith, who attended the news conference, about the alleged abuse.

"I won't dispute what's in those pictures, and I know that sometimes perception is reality," Smith is quoted saying in the Athens Banner-Herald. "But as the (state NAACP) president said, they're always two or three sides to every story, and I feel that when we get through this, the sheriff's department, through their attorneys, will be vindicated."

Two former sheriff’s office employees spoke during the news conference. Kathy Teresa Smith, who was employed by the county as a detention officer from 2008 to 2010, and Schuyler Dillard, who worked as a deputy from 2006 to 2008, have both reported witnessing abuse and the use of excessive force in the detention center. Smith said she has been harassed at her home since coming forward.

Donald Jackson, a former sergeant with the , also spoke during the news conference and said one of the incidents in question was captured on video.  

The video, which contains no audio, can be viewed on YouTube. The driver of the vehicle that is stopped is pulled from the car at 4:15.  

“The video is very disturbing,” Jackson said. “A Barrow County deputy and a Statham city officer is beating a man who’s not resisting.”

Jackson said his actions in bringing the video to the attention of a county judge eventually resulted in his voluntary resignation from the department after he was ostracized.

DuBose plans to follow Thursday’s news conference by addressing county commissioners at their next meeting.


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