Police Organization Backs Solicitor-General Candidate

CANTON-SIXES, GA -From The Kermit Sanders Lodge 13 Fraternal Order of Police: The Kermit C. Sanders Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #13 has endorsed Cherokee County Chief Assistant Solicitor-General Todd Hayes as their candidate of choice in the race to become Cherokee’s next Solicitor-General. With a membership in excess of 600 active and retired law enforcement officers, the Sanders Lodge is the largest Fraternal Order of Police lodge in Georgia, and serves police in the North Metro Atlanta area—including Cherokee County. Members of the Lodge voted to endorse Hayes following their monthly meeting on February 7, 2018, at which he and his opponent presented sharply divergent views of the role of the Solicitor-General in promoting Cherokee’s public safety.

"I am deeply humbled by the endorsement of the Fraternal Oder of Police,” said Hayes. “Solicitors-General can only be successful when they work hand-in-hand with the law enforcement agencies in their community, and I have done all I can to build positive relationships with all of the deputies, officers and troopers that serve in Cherokee. The fact that they have placed their confidence in me by deciding to stand behind me in this race is incredibly moving.”

Hayes, a career prosecutor with fifteen years’ experience, has a long history of training and supporting the efforts of law enforcement officers in Cherokee County and across the State of Georgia. He frequently instructs new officers training to receive their peace officer certification at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (and its regional divisions) on how to effectively testify in court. During his five-year tenure at the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, he instructed thousands of police officers in every corner of the State on cutting-edge approaches to impaired driving enforcement and traffic safety techniques. Building and maintaining a close partnership with police is a primary goal Hayes will vigorously pursue as Cherokee’s next Solicitor-General.

Sanders Lodge President and State Lodge Secretary Steven T. Gaynor, a retired Cobb police sergeant, described Hayes’ presentation to the lodge on February 7 as “outstanding.” In a Facebook posting announcing the endorsement, Gaynor encouraged Lodge members living in Cherokee County to consider voting for Hayes based on his experience and the support of retiring Cherokee Solicitor-General Jessica Moss.

Photo courtesy of The Kermit C. Sanders Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #13