SAVANNAH, Ga. () – The Chatham County District Attorney’s Office has made some new hiring decisions they say will better prepare them for the new term.

Now in her second term as DA, Shalena Cook-Jones has hired five new assistants to the prosecution team to focus on tackling an expanding caseload as Chatham County grows.

Two law enforcement officers have joined the investigative staff to help strengthen early investigation and develop gang cases and serious violent felonies, the DA’s office said.

Jones said she’s strengthened the Victim Witness Department with a co-director, Shantal Childers, a former juvenile justice probation officer and licensed counselor.

To improve transparency with Chatham County residents and judicial stakeholders, the DA has hired former news director, Katherine Wideman, as the director of communications.

“These new hires, coupled with the office’s robust initiatives will make the Chatham County DA’s Office stronger and more efficient over the next four years,” Jones stated.