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By Sarah Brown – Managing Editor

On September 6, 2024, an email from Chief Jalon Heard of the Cordele Police Department was leaked on Facebook, revealing a significant shift in the department’s protocol concerning school safety. The email outlined that the Cordele Police Department would no longer be the primary responders to incidents occurring on school grounds, which includes school property, Crisp County School buses, and bus stops during regular pick-up and drop-off times. Instead, such calls for service are to be directed to the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office.

This announcement has generated considerable concern within the community, particularly in light of the recent tragic school shooting in Winder, Georgia, which occurred just a day prior to the email’s date. Many were surprised by this decision, as key local stakeholders including the Crisp County Board of Education, the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cordele City Commissioners had not been informed of this change prior to the email being leaked.

Cordele City Manager Angela Redding put out a statement regarding the change saying, “The City of Cordele Police Department will respond to calls regarding the Crisp County School System including those on school grounds, on a school bus, and at bus stops. It is the responsibility of the Cordele Police Department to protect and serve all citizens of Cordele, Georgia.”

Chairman Joshua Deriso put out this statement saying, “Dear Citizens of Cordele, Crisp County, and our School Cougar Community, We want to address the recent School Grounds Directive that has understandably caused some confusion and concern. First and foremost, we want to reassure you that the City of Cordele and the Board fo Commissioners remain committed to our duty to protect and serve all our citizens, especially our children, who are our most precious responsibility. The intent behind the directive was to streamline response efforts by designating the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office as the primary responder for incidents occurring on school grounds, including those involving school buses and bus stops. This does not in any way diminish our commitment to assisting in these situations; rather, it is a measure to ensure a coordinated response with the Sheriff’s Office. We understand the confusion that the leaked email may have caused. We ask that you consider the directive in its entirety and with an understanding of its context. The message clearly indicated that while the Cordele Police Department would not be the primary unit, it would continue to provide support and assistance as needed. We aim to act with professionalism and clarity, ensuring that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined to serve the community better. While the tragedy of the Apalachee High School in Winder is heavily weighted on our hearts and minds, the email should not be read as a counterproductive to providing safety. We maintain that it is equally important to provide clear order and procedures to avoid chaos and confusion amid a likely tragedy, t would be counterproductive to NOT provide clear order and directives. We have witnessed the latter adding to more human casualties during a tragedy. Considering this, the Office of the Chair aligns with the leadership of our PD and fully supports this directive. We believe it aligns with our commitment to maintaining high standards of professionalism and accountability as out Police Chief has consistently embodied.”

As of now, Chief Jalon Heard has not issued a formal statement regarding the leaked email.