To All Georgia Jail Association Members,

Please allow me to introduce myself to you. I am Major Gary M. Dover a twenty three year law enforcement veteran. I began my career in 1986 at the Floyd County Prison Camp as a correctional officer. In 1990 I came to work for the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office where I started out as a jail officer. Over the next eighteen years with the Sheriff’s Office Detention Division I rose through the ranks to my current assignment as the Jail Division Commander/Jail Administrator. I was a shift Sergeant for approximately six years and a shift Lieutenant for another three years. I have been in my current assignment for the last seven years.

I am proud to have been nominated for the position of Second Vice President of the Georgia Jail Association and I would appreciate your support. I have dedicated my entire life to the profession of detention and corrections. I strive everyday to make the profession of being a jail officer or working detention a more attractive and desirable job. I have done several things since I was given the privilege as serving as Jail Administrator, including ensuring that all my detention officers are sent to the police academy to be given the chance to become certified.

I do not now nor have I ever tolerated the treatment of jail officers as second class citizens. I do not tolerate this type of behavior towards my jail staff from anyone including other division commanders. I do not allow anyone at the Sheriff’s Office to refer to my staff as “Turn Key” or “Jailor”. I think these terms are usually used in a demeaning manor.

If I am elected as your Second Vice President I promise to bring this passion for our profession to my elected office to ensure that our association continues on its professional path into the future. I have been very proud to serve our association as a regional representative in the past.

On a personal note I would also like you to know that I have been married, to my wife Karla, for the last twenty-two years. I have two wonderful daughters, Lindsay, who is twenty years old and in college, and Caitlin, who is sixteen and in high school.

I have listed below some of my achievements and affiliations:

POST certified instructor                                Certified Glock Armorer

Firearms Instructor                                          Certified Colt Armorer

Certified Law Enforcement Officer              GJA member since 1998        

Certified Corrections Officer                          AJA member since 2000

Certified Intox Operator                                 Voted Jail Administrator  of the Year 2005 by GJA

Certified FTO                                                 Approximately 2000 hours of POST training

Thank you, sincerely,

Major G.M. Dover