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Hamilton County sheriff candidates tackle race issues

By: Matt Wilson
(Contact)

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Jim Winters
Greg Beck
Fred Fuson
Tim Akins

Hamilton County sheriff candidates disagreed Tuesday night about how to deal with racial profiling in the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, or if it even exists.

“Racial profiling is a reality in this country,” Democratic candidate Greg Beck told an audience of about 40 at a forum hosted by the Chattanooga chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. “It’s a reality in this county. It’s a reality in this city.”

Mr. Beck, who is black, said he is the only candidate in the race who can understand racial profiling, but he said it is hard to prove. The other four candidates in the race are white.

Write-in candidate Fred Fuson said he has been profiled, however.

“Put on a blue uniform with a badge and go through a black neighborhood, and see if you don’t get profiled,” he said as some audience members laughed.

Mr. Fuson said officers know that profiling of all types is illegal and should know not to do it.

Independent candidate Tim Akins said enforcing rules against racial profiling is the key.

“Hold (officers) accountable,” he said.

Jim Winters, also an independent candidate, said he has not seen racial profiling at his service station business on 23rd Street. He said if elected sheriff he would have officers keep logs of traffic stops so officials could collect data to determine whether profiling is going on.

Republican candidate Jim Hammond did not attend the forum.

Pastor Timothy Sykes of Olivet Baptist Church, which hosted the forum, said Mr. Hammond had a prior engagement.

In regard to diversity in the sheriff’s department, Mr. Fuson and Mr. Akins said finding applicants is key.

“We need to get out in the black community and recruit them,” Mr. Akins said.

Mr. Beck said he would continue programs he helped start as a member of the Hamilton County Commission. He said previous officials developed plans to hire minorities into open positions, and that he would like to reinstate those policies.

Mr. Winters said he would use diversity guidelines already in place. He said he did not want to make too many changes in the department.

“I don’t want anybody to lose their job,” Mr. Winters said.

On the topic of affirmative action, Mr. Beck and Mr. Akins said they supported the practice in the sheriff’s department. Mr. Fuson said he opposes it.

Mr. Winters said he preferred the term “critical mass,” saying some people find the term affirmative action offensive.

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