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Clergy ask Ware County commissioners to back police reforms after fair incident
Summary
Rev. Ferrell Malone told commissioners that a recent fair incident involved excessive force and urged a resolution calling for de-escalation training, mandatory body cameras and a citizen review board; the sheriff has referred the incident to the GBI, Malone said.
Rev. Ferrell Malone of Macedonia Baptist Church told the Ware County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 8 that a recent incident at the local fair involved "excessive force," and said the sheriff has referred the matter to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Malone, speaking for concerned clergy in Waycross and Ware County, proposed that the commission adopt a resolution requiring mindset de-escalation training for post‑certified officers, mandatory use of body‑worn cameras and establishment of a citizen review board to oversee complaints. He said the measures would help prevent similar incidents in the future and welcomed commissioners to contact him with questions.
The proposal was presented during the work session and added to the regular meeting agenda for further consideration and possible formal action. The transcript records Malone noting that "the Sheriff has always been amenable to discussing concerns with him," and that the GBI has been asked to investigate the specific fair‑related incident.
No formal vote was taken in the work session; the item will return at the regular meeting for discussion and any potential motion. Other county officials present included County Manager James Shubert and Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Herzog, who were recorded as staff in the session but did not make formal remarks on the proposal during the work session.
If commissioners consider policy changes that would affect law enforcement procedures, any ordinance or county policy would be subject to the county's usual review process and may require input from the sheriff's office, legal counsel and, depending on the measure, state or federal funding authorities.
