Salary & Benefits
Police Officer Trainee - $53,772 (plus a 3% incentive for a 2-year degree or a 6% incentive for a 4-year college degree)Police Officer Senior - $60,115 (plus two possible incentives – salary plus 3% incentive for a 2-year degree or 6% incentive for a 4-year college degree and/or salary plus 6% incentive for a designated specialized unit)
Police Officer Senior (5 years) - $70,327 base salary (plus two possible incentives – salary plus 3% incentive for a 2-year degree or a 6% incentive for a 4-year college degree. Plus, an additional 6% incentive for a designated specialized unit).
Master Police Officer - $88,987 (plus two possible incentives – salary plus 3% incentive for a 2-year degree or 6% incentive for a 4-year college degree and/or salary plus 6% incentive for a designated specialized unit)
Police Officer Trainees are automatically promoted to Police Officer Senior on their one-year anniversary with successful completion of the police academy and field training program.
After two years at the rank of Police Officer Senior, officers are eligible for a non-competitive promotion to Master Police Officer with the completion of certain training requirements.
Gwinnett County has a 12-step pay system with 4% annual raises.
Education Incentive
2 year college degree - 3% increase to base salary
4 year college degree - 6% increase to base salary
Tuition reimbursement is available after 2 years of service for associate, bachelor, and master degrees.
Specialized Unit Incentive
A 6% Specialized Assignment Incentive is given to officers working in specialized units including S.W.A.T., Training, Criminal Investigations, Accident Reconstruction, Internal Affairs, and others. Officers are typically not eligible for specialized assignments within the first two years of employment with GCPD. Qualified Officers can earn both the Education Incentive and the Specialized Unit Incentive concurrently, for a total of either 9% or 12%.
In-State and Out-of-State Lateral Transfers
Lateral Transfers - Applicants currently or formerly employed by a full-service law enforcement agency in any state will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for lateral entry.
Applicants will not be considered for lateral entry if they have taken a break from service longer than two years. Military police service does not meet the qualification of full-service law enforcement agency.
Approved lateral transfers are hired at the rank of Police Officer Senior. The starting salary range is $60,115 to $88,987 (plus a 3% or 6% education incentive for those with a 2-year or 4-year college degree, respectively) pending review and qualifications.
As of January 1, 2022, P.O.S.T. has made it easier for certified out-of-state officers and Military Peace Officers to transfer certification to Georgia. View the Equivalency of Training Information information for more details.
Approved lateral transfers are hired at the rank of Police Officer Senior. The starting salary range is $60,115 to $88,987 (plus a 3% or 6% education incentive for those with a 2-year or 4-year college degree, respectively) pending review and qualifications.
As of January 1, 2022, P.O.S.T. has made it easier for certified out-of-state officers and Military Peace Officers to transfer certification to Georgia. View the Equivalency of Training Information information for more details.
In-State Lateral Transfer - In-state lateral transfers may qualify for an abbreviated training program.
Out-of-State Lateral Transfer - Out-of-state lateral transfers may have to attend the full academy session and obtain training required by the Gwinnett County Police Department to be certified as a police officer in Georgia. The police department can assist with obtaining your Georgia Equivalency of Training.
Issued Equipment
Officers are issued all uniforms, equipment, body armor, computer, and duty weapon. All items are replaced on a regular schedule.
Issued Vehicle
All officers are issued a police vehicle, which are typically replaced at four-year intervals. Officers are permitted to drive their patrol car home if they live in Gwinnett County or 30 miles from the county line.
Retirement Benefits
Defined Contribution Retirement Plan 401(a) - Employees choose 5.0% or 7.5% contribution. The County contributes 7%. Employees are fully vested at 5 years.
More retirement plans information.
Other Benefits
- $53,772 starting salary
- $60,115 after year one
- $56,998 starting salary with bachelor’s degree
- $63,721 after one year with degree
- $60,115 to $88,987 starting salary (plus a 3% or 6% education incentive for those with a 2-year or 4-year college degree, respectively) for lateral hires
- $5,300 hiring bonus
- Full police salary during training
- Advancement opportunities after year two
- Strong benefits package
- Second largest police agency in Georgia
- Strong community relations
- Multitude of specialized units including:
- K-9
- Aviation
- Alcohol and Vice
- Narcotics
- SWAT/HDU
- Investigations
- Behavioral Health
- Community Relations
- Training
- Office of Professional Standards
- Technology Support
- Gangs
- Motors
- Accident Investigations
- Crime Prevention
- 13 paid holidays
- Furnished uniforms, equipment and vehicle
- Relocation reimbursement up to $3,500
- Tuition reimbursement
- Real-time crime center
- Off-Duty Income Potential
- Longevity incentive after year three
