Move will help strengthen cooperation
Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) deputies and detectives will be able to cooperate like never before after moving into the same building.
“We’ve needed this for a long time. Having the space and layout to actually work together instead of across different locations will make a huge impact on how we operate,” Sheriff Stacy Nicholson said.
As of last week, the Uniformed Patrol Division and Criminal Investigations Division will both work from the third floor of the Gilmer County Government Annex Building, located at 822 Industrial Blvd., Ellijay.
Anyone visiting the GCSO should come into the building from the east side entrance
This change will make cooperation between different sides of law enforcement far easier, he said.
Although Gilmer officers have always worked together, it’s one thing to occasionally get in a radio call or chance meeting, and another thing to see your coworkers every day.
“When communication improves, response improves, and ultimately the level of service we provide to the citizens of Gilmer County improves as well,” Nicholson said.
In the movies, detectives cover more ground by splitting up. But in real life, cooperation makes it easier to solve crimes.
Bringing the offices together has been a goal for Nicholson for the last 12 years.
This office will be the first time deputies and detectives will share the same building. GCSO will still have some officers working at the jail and the courthouse.
“These folks are housed under the same roof for the first time in 30 years,” he said.
The building represents a major upgrade from GCSO’s previous facilities.
Not only does it have more office space, it also has a training room, kitchen, interview rooms, conference rooms and more.
“It’s by far the nicest space they’ve ever been housed,” Nicholson said.
He added that this benefit will greatly increase department morale.
It’s not likely the department will move anytime soon.
“My name will be forgotten before we run out of room,” Nicholson said.