What Department Would You Want To Start With Today?

[ShenML]

I've read several pages of threads, but many are at least a year old if not more.

So by way of background, my wife is from the Atlanta area (Marietta) and we were considering a move back down there. I would like to get into police work. Especially for the current officers; what departments (that are currently hiring) would you consider the best to start at?

From my internet research, it looks like the following departments are currently accepting applications:

Atlanta PD
Cobb County PD
Gwinett PD
Dekalb PD
Marietta PD

Others that I've missed? Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[NoWingedAngel]

I would get a sense of what kind of department you want to join. Small and large departments have their assets and their liabilities.

I would suggest going on ride-alongs with several departments in different areas and of different sizes to see which ones you think fit you the best.

Cobb

Cobb PD
Marietta PD
Smyrna PD
Powder Springs PD
Austell PD

Fulton

Atlanta PD
Fulton Co PD
Roswell PD
Sandy Springs PD
Johns Creek PD
Alpharetta PD
Milton PD

DeKalb

DeKalb PD
Brookhaven PD
Doraville PD

Gwinnett

Gwinnett PD
Norcross PD
Duluth PD
Suwanee PD
Snellville PD
Lilburn PD
Lawrenceville PD

All of these departments will vary in one way or another but all are pretty good, depending on what you define "good" as.

[AtlCop]

Assuming that I was starting my career in law enforcement and If I had to choose one from the departments you listed, it would be Gwinnett PD. Of course, I was raised in Gwinnett County. Someone from Cobb county might tell you something different.

My career started with a mid-size metro Atlanta department and continues with a different metro department. If I had it to do over again, I would have probably started with Gwinnett PD instead. I'd most likely still be working for my current department though.

Gwinnett offers a decent starting salary with incentives for associate (3%) and bachelor (6%) degrees. They have outstanding training. Gwinnett is a large county and they have plenty of career opportunities. If you don't like Gwinnett after a few years, you can write your ticket to most any other department in the state.

The downside to Gwinnett is that there are departments that pay MUCH better money and offer much better equipment and benefits. However, those same departments generally require that you have experience... Thus my statement that you could leave Gwinnett after a few years and go almost anywhere.

[ShenML]

Thanks to both of you so far. I realize there are many metro Atlanta departments, but I guess I'm specifically focusing on the ones that are currently hiring candidates with no prior police experience.

From looking further at Gwinnett's webite, it seems they give everyone a take home car. That seems like a pretty decent benefit, at least to my mind at this point.

[FortGordonPolice]

I will tell you if you are in it for the fact of being in this great profession look into the Augusta area Both Richmond and Columbia County are currently hiring with that said Richmond County has a pretty good turn over but there is a great amount of call volume but there is plenty of special assignments at the rate of $25.00 a hour.

[rob_fleming79]

My question is, what are YOU looking for? Each agency is unique in its own way. Want code 3 runs all the time, go with APD, DeKalb and Clayton, want to make money go with MARTA POLICE, want in between but pays great, look into Cobb and Henry County Pd.

[BNWS]

I would apply to all and see who picks you up.

[Zeitgeist]

I would go to one of the larger agencies for the experience, for about 3 years and then move on. Retirement/pensions have changed drastically since I came on (15yrs same dept). I would not stay longer than 3 years with the type of retirement that is offered to newly hired peeps now.

Though many depts are going the same route in terms of pensions.

[Zeitgeist]

I will tell you if you are in it for the fact of being in this great profession look into the Augusta area Both Richmond and Columbia County are currently hiring with that said Richmond County has a pretty good turn over but there is a great amount of call volume but there is plenty of special assignments at the rate of $25.00 a hour.

Salary is between $29,000-34,000? That's not that great a pay rate for a high call volume/stress level.

Are you talking about jobs that you'd work after your regular shift? One thing about this profession, you HAVE to get used to living on your regular salary. If you start working a bunch of extra jobs you end up with no life, your family will suffer, you'll miss very important events in your children's lives etc. I've watched too many of my colleagues get caught up in this.

[JeeperBuddy]

I would go to one of the larger agencies for the experience, for about 3 years and then move on. Retirement/pensions have changed drastically since I came on (15yrs same dept). I would not stay longer than 3 years with the type of retirement that is offered to newly hired peeps now.

........

[Zeitgeist]

I spent 2 yrs in Zone 4, it is a great place for experience. Try to get Bike certified. I loved Bike patrol there.

[Zeitgeist]

My question is, what are YOU looking for? Each agency is unique in its own way. Want code 3 runs all the time, go with APD, DeKalb and Clayton, want to make money go with MARTA POLICE, want in between but pays great, look into Cobb and Henry County Pd.

Also consider some of the area University police depts. If you have children their tuition is more often than not waived. Spouses too and obviously your tuition. Emory is a good dept. Ga. Tech is a great dept, though they stay pretty busy. The private colleges seem to have agreements (regarding tuition) w/ other private colleges in the state: Berry, Oglethorpe, Agnes Scott etc.

The pay is off set by the benefits, take home car....adds serious savings to your budget, free/reduced tuition--can't even estimate how much that adds to your income. Just some thoughts.

[Sackett]

I think that Emory will allow you, and your dependents to go to college for free, or close to it. Board of Regents schools such as Georgia State, Georgia Tech, and several others will pay for "you" to go, but I don't think the family is included in that benefit.

[rob_fleming79]

Wait, so I would get paid and I would have a chance to go to school for free? That's an awesome opportunity.

[Zeitgeist]

I think that Emory will allow you, and your dependents to go to college for free, or close to it. Board of Regents schools such as Georgia State, Georgia Tech, and several others will pay for "you" to go, but I don't think the family is included in that benefit.

I'm just going on hearsay as I've really only discussed it w/ an Emory Sgt. and a cousin that works for Agnes Scott (obviously both private schools). The others I'm just guessing on, so def do your research--Sackett is probably right.