Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Achieves State Accreditation
L to R Det. Chris Wilson, Cpt. Dean Willard, Cpt. Steven Paulk, Chief Deputy Marcus Dunlap, Sheriff Fred Cole - Members of GSA Executive Committee - Sheriff Ron Freeman, Sheriff Gary Sisk, Sheriff Gerald Couch, Sheriff Noel Brown, Sheriff Lewis Walker
The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the successful completion of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association’s voluntary Office of Sheriff Accreditation Program — a significant milestone and a first in the history of the agency.
Under the leadership of Sheriff Fred Cole, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office is now one of only 21 sheriff’s offices statewide to earn this distinction. Fewer than 10 percent of Georgia sheriff’s offices currently hold this accreditation, which recognizes agencies that meet or exceed established professional standards in policy, training, and operational practices.
“As Sheriff, I am proud to announce that the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office has completed this accreditation process for the first time in our history,” said Sheriff Fred Cole. “This achievement reflects the hard work, professionalism, and dedication of our staff. Being recognized by the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association confirms that our office is operating at the highest standards of law enforcement service.”
The Office of Sheriff Accreditation Program is designed specifically for sheriff’s offices and evaluates compliance with standards related to jail operations, court security, civil process, sex offender registration, and other constitutionally mandated duties unique to the Office of Sheriff. The program ensures agencies operate in accordance with Georgia law, best practices, and proven professional standards.
As part of the process, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office completed an extensive self-assessment, submitted supporting documentation, and underwent a comprehensive review conducted by trained assessors from other sheriff’s offices across the state. A total of 236 standards were evaluated, covering policies, procedures, training, and daily operations.
“This accreditation is about accountability, professionalism, and public trust,” Sheriff Cole said. “It strengthens our operations, reduces liability, and ensures we are delivering the highest level of service to the citizens of Coffee County.”
One of the key improvements resulting from the accreditation process involves enhancements to the Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Registry operations. Beginning Thursday, February 5, 2026, all registered sex offenders who move into Coffee County, change addresses, change employment, or are arrested within the county will be published in the Douglas Enterprise newspaper. These notifications will also continue to be shared through the Sheriff’s Office social media platforms, the Sheriff’s Office mobile app, and the official website at coffeesheriffga.gov.
Additionally, sex offender registry information is routinely provided to county schools and government facilities to ensure accessibility and promote public safety throughout the community.
“The accreditation process strengthens transparency, accountability, and community awareness,” Sheriff Cole added. “This certification represents a major step forward for our office and reinforces our commitment to protecting the people of Coffee County with professionalism and integrity.”
The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to continuous improvement and to maintaining the standards required to uphold this accreditation moving forward.