Cornell “C.J.Madison Jr. certifications, issued by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training, reflect my commitment to upholding the highest standards in law enforcement and public safety.

Specialized Law Enforcement Training & Professional Development

Cornell “CJ” Madison Jr. has built his law-enforcement career on continued professional development. His official Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) record documents 2,187 hours of training across the years, covering leadership, supervision, management, investigations, gangs, jail operations, court services, civil process, firearms, de-escalation, community policing, and other critical public-safety disciplines. 

His active Georgia POST credentials include Advanced Certification, Intermediate Certification, Managerial Certification, Supervisory Certification, Field Training Officer Certification, Basic Jailer Certification, Basic Law Enforcement Certification, RADAR Operator Certification, and LIDAR Operator Certification. 

Leadership, Supervision & Command Training

Madison has completed extensive formal leadership and management training, including Supervision Levels I, II and III and Management Levels I, II and III through Georgia public-safety training programs. His POST record also documents training in Command Staff Training, Strategic Planning, Effective Leadership, Leadership Issues for Managers, Developing a Culture of Leadership Excellence, Executive Intelligence, Police Discipline, Applicant Selection, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Internal Affairs/Professional Standards. 

This training complements his real-world experience as a Corporal, Special Agent, and Assistant Chief of Police, providing both operational and executive-level perspectives on managing a law-enforcement organization.

Investigations, Gangs & Crime Suppression

His specialized investigative training includes a 40-hour Gang Investigators Course, Street Gang Identification and Awareness, criminal procedure, search and seizure, latent fingerprint development, crime-scene preservation, and crime-scene management for first responding officers. 

His record also documents recurring training involving gang awareness and human trafficking, including the commercial sexual exploitation of children. 

Sheriff-Specific Training

Importantly for someone seeking the Office of Sheriff, Madison has pursued training directly related to the statutory and operational responsibilities of a Georgia sheriff.

His recent POST record includes training in Office of the Sheriff, Court Services, Civil Process, Prisoner Transport, Sex Offender Registry, Search Procedures for Wanted and Missing Persons, Domestic Violence response, and Mental Commitments and Transportation of the Mentally Ill. 

He also completed 45 hours of Basic Jail Training for Certified Officers, and his POST profile lists his Basic Jailer Certification as active. 

Field Training, Tactical & Officer-Safety Training

Madison completed a 40-hour Field Training Officer course, 40-hour First Responder course, 40-hour Officer Survival course, 16-hour Specialized Patrol Techniques course, and training involving active-shooter response, felony traffic stops, building clearing, patrol rifle, firearms, Taser, defensive tactics and de-escalation. 

His POST record also shows continuing firearms qualification and use-of-force/de-escalation training, including 2026 firearms requalification/use of deadly force/de-escalation and patrol-rifle requalification. 

Community-Focused Public Safety Training

Effective policing also requires communication, judgment, and public trust. Madison’s training includes Community-Oriented Policing, Police Legitimacy and Procedural Justice, Building Positive Police-Community Relations, Cultural Awareness, De-escalation, Autism & De-escalation, Domestic and Family Violence, Human Trafficking, Mental Illness/Diminished Capacity, and Public Relations. 

More Than a Résumé — Preparation for the Office

The record demonstrates training across many of the functions that a Sheriff must ultimately oversee: jail operations, court services, civil process, warrants and wanted persons, prisoner transportation, sex-offender registration, personnel supervision, internal affairs, strategic planning, public relations, use of force, de-escalation, and community policing.

2,187 Hours of Georgia POST Training • Advanced Certified • Managerial Certified • Supervisory Certified • Basic Jailer Certified • Field Training Officer • Marine Corps Veteran

Cornell “CJ” Madison Jr. — Experience. Training. Leadership. Prepared to Serve.

Leadership Journey:

Beginning as an Explorer Scout Cadet and progressing through various roles—including Police Officer, Field Training Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Special Agent, and Assistant Chief of Police—I have honed my leadership skills and operational acumen. As Assistant Chief, I managed day-to-day operations, ensuring that our department functions smoothly and efficiently.

With this comprehensive background in law enforcement, I am prepared to lead Clayton County with integrity, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to serving our community effectively. I believe my experience and training make me uniquely qualified to be your next sheriff. Together, we can enhance the safety and well-being of our community.