Each of the candidates for Hamilton County sheriff says he has the right experience for the job, but some are questioning their opponents’ credentials.

“I’m the only candidate involved who’s made a profession out of law enforcement,” said Fred Fuson, a former Chattanooga police lieutenant running as a write-in candidate.

Mr. Fuson said he never sought administrative roles in the department but “had a lot of years in supervision” as a lieutenant and as Hamilton County’s chief ranger.

But independent candidate Jim Winters said Mr. Fuson “never excelled” as a police officer. Mr. Winters said his experience as an East Ridge detective and medical examiner’s investigator make him right for the job.

Republican nominee Jim Hammond noted that Mr. Winters, a businessman who owns a service station on 23rd Street, has not worked in law enforcement since losing his commission with the East Ridge police department 31 years ago.

Mr. Winters said Mr. Hammond was “all about looking good and being the man in charge instead of working with the people.”

“He’s never written a parking ticket,” he said. “He’s never testified in court under a criminal case.”

Mr. Hammond admitted he was a “political appointee” to the position of chief deputy and never was a uniformed officer, but he said he had gone through police training.

“I can hardly say a chief deputy doesn’t get involved in his cases,” he said. “For Jim Winters to say I don’t have street experience is not true.”

Mr. Hammond left the sheriff’s department after he lost the 1994 sheriff election, although he sought the office again in 1998. He since has worked as a teacher, security director and police trainer.

Democrat Greg Beck touted his work on the County Commission and as a corrections officer. He declined to comment on the experience of his opponents.

Mr. Beck said he has not been a road officer, but he said the sheriff’s job is “an administrative job. This is not a policeman’s job.”

“We just had a police officer,” he said, referring to former Sheriff Billy Long, who resigned before pleading guilty to federal extortion, money laundering, gun and drug charges.

Mr. Beck said the sheriff needs to “know the movers and shakers in the community.”

Mr. Beck and Mr. Fuson met with the Times Free Press editorial board Wednesday. Mr. Hammond and Mr. Winters met with the board Tuesday.

Independent candidate Tim Akins, a former staff sergeant in the sheriff’s department, said he had “recent knowledge of supervising employees in the sheriff’s department.”

Mr. Akins, who has not yet met with the Times Free Press editorial board, oversaw booking in the county jail until earlier this year.

Early voting in the sheriff election starts Friday.

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