Breaking Barriers: 9 Things You Didn't Know About Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen

PC: sherifflevonallen More Than a Sheriff

Levon Allen is the first African American to be elected as the Clayton County Sheriff in Georgia.

[{"selector":"#anim-95c867f4-6a28-4640-8f76-be09ab6744f4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.20371454656282%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] PC: sherifflevonallen 1

Prior to becoming sheriff, Allen worked as a police officer in the city of Atlanta for over 25 years.

[{"selector":"#anim-0badd2c3-f9ed-42ed-881e-08a8c6638ff0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.36019725367174%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] PC: sherifflevonallen 2

During his campaign, Allen advocated for community policing and building strong relationships between law enforcement and local residents.

[{"selector":"#anim-7b673d71-a9e0-4332-9cbb-af79c5a7ac72 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.52302620802302%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] PC: sherifflevonallen 3

Allen's election victory in 2020 was a narrow one, with just a few thousand votes separating him from his opponent, the incumbent sheriff.

[{"selector":"#anim-3801cc8a-fce8-4846-b3c4-e354fa021b18 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.241911016461373%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] PC: sherifflevonallen 4

Despite facing opposition and controversy during his campaign, Allen refused to engage in negative campaigning and remained focused on his vision for the department.

[{"selector":"#anim-c3a29713-6658-4535-a485-011a112cb66e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-33.4703946312227%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] PC: sherifflevonallen 5

In addition to his law enforcement background, Allen is also a military veteran who served in the U.S. Army for several years.

[{"selector":"#anim-7987c2c0-cccf-4522-adcc-273cae7cfbd8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.003289378090983%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] PC: sherifflevonallen 6

Allen has pledged to increase transparency and accountability within the Clayton County Sheriff's Office, and has already taken steps to make the department more accessible to the community.

[{"selector":"#anim-32da3da2-342e-4926-8481-aeeadfe9c9ff [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.241911016461373%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] PC: sherifflevonallen 7

As sheriff, Allen has implemented new programs aimed at reducing crime and improving public safety, including initiatives focused on gang prevention and domestic violence prevention.

[{"selector":"#anim-6feeb744-549b-4c36-b16a-41d525ea77f3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.87993408360378%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] PC: sherifflevonallen 8

Outside of his work as a law enforcement officer, Allen is also active in his community and has been involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors over the years.

[{"selector":"#anim-ce61c7c6-1242-4a58-a4f4-db5b15595b58 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.263157793057005%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] PC: sherifflevonallen 9