Traditionally, Sheriff’s deputies have been allowed to perform additional jobs during their off-duty time. The deputies are also allowed to use their patrol cars for non-duty related activities. These abilities came into question when the Board of Commissioners heard the deputies would be patrolling Coosawattee River Resort, while off-duty, as an agreement between the deputies and Coosawattee. Sheriff Stacy Nicholson attended last week’s workshop to share his view of the issue.

“This is standard practice across the United States and the state of Georgia…In the past Deputies have worked Coosawattee without any controversy,”
Sheriff Stacy Nicholson explained.

“They [the commissioners] do have ownership of the vehicles, and as such they would have to authorize that[additional patrolling],” county attorney David Clark suggested.

“I would still take exception to that, because the cars are assigned to me,” the Sheriff responded.

The crux of the issue is the off-duty use of the patrol cars. The Board discussed Coosawattee paying an additional rate for “wear and tear.” Sheriff Nicholson explained that the deputies would fill their patrol cars up with fuel before leaving the resort, and that a rate for wear and tear might be difficult put a number on.

Georgia state law outlines the provisions for contracts with municipalities, but fails to provide direction when it comes to off-duty assignments.

To view the entire conversation, watch the video below.