Police Officer-Entry Level and Lateral

Position Overview

The Cobb County Police Department is a CALEA-accredited and nationally recognized full‑service law enforcement agency located in the metropolitan Atlanta area, serving a population of approximately 800,000 citizens. In response to the recent expansion of our workforce, we are looking for highly motivated, hardworking, and ethical men and women who are seeking a career in law enforcement to join our progressive department and serve a great community.

Applicants must complete a Physical Agility Test (PAT) (obstacle course) in 2:06 or less.

Order of events:

• Run 1 ¾ laps around perimeter of course & enter interior of course;
• Jump 2 low hurdles;
• Negotiate a set of stairs 2 times;
• Jump 1 low hurdle;
• Crawl under an obstacle set at 2' above floor;
• Jump 6' L ditch simulation;
• Climb over 4' H chain link fence;
• Climb through 4' H window;
• Drag 150‑pound weight (dummy) 20 feet;
• Finish with 1 lap plus 24' around perimeter of course.

Base Pay
:
Entry Level Police Officer: $54,000.

Lateral Officer Pay
:
Lateral entry applicants will be given credit for years of service and placed accordingly in the step‑in‑grade pay scale.

Shift Differential
:

• Evening Shift: +$0.50/hr
• Morning Shift: +$1.00/hr

Education Incentive Pay
:

• Associate’s Degree: $1,000 ($250 per quarter)
• Bachelor’s Degree: $2,000 ($500 per quarter)
• Master’s Degree: $3,000 ($750 per quarter)

Other Compensation
:

• Take‑home vehicle program
• Hazardous duty pay (where applicable)
• On‑call for court pay
• Paid overtime

Annual Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefits (POAB) fees are paid by the employer. This represents a $300 per year savings that goes to your retirement.

Employer‑sponsored benefits include Health, Dental, Life, and Long‑Term Disability.

Free Wellness Clinic: a free health clinic is available for all Cobb County employees and their dependents who have insurance with Cobb County.

Veteran’s Benefit: the Cobb County Police Academy is approved by the Georgia Department of Veterans Service as an on‑the‑job‑training program. Eligible veterans may receive monetary benefits during training and the first 18 months of service.

Uniforms and equipment are provided at no cost to the employee.

Tuition Reimbursement is available for pre‑approved applicants while completing a college degree or certification.

Fitness centers are available at several precincts, police headquarters, and the Department of Public Safety Training Center.

Paid Vacation Leave: 13 days per year for 1 year of service; 15 days for 5 years; 20 days for 10 years; 22 days for 15 years; 25 days for 20 years.

Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.

Paid Sick Leave: accumulates at 4.0 hours per biweekly.

Paid Military Leave: up to 18 days per year.

Bereavement Leave Policy: full‑time employees receive up to 3 days of bereavement leave with pay for 24 hours. Part‑time employees receive equivalent part‑time days.

Parental Leave Policy: eligible full‑time employees receive six weeks paid leave to care for a newborn or adopted child, subject to service and hours worked requirements.

• Attends training sessions as required to gain skills and knowledge regarding department operations, policies, procedures, and case law.
• Enforces all applicable codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations (traffic and criminal) to protect life and property, prevent crime, and promote security.
• Detects and deters criminal activity: patrols designated areas; responds to calls; writes citations; apprehends, arrests, and processes offenders; provides assistance and backup to other officers and agencies.
• Conducts preliminary investigations: interviews victims, complainants, and witnesses; takes statements; gathers evidence; secures crime scenes; prepares investigative reports and sketches; participates in court activities; testifies in judicial proceedings.
• Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters: lifts, drags, or carries people; secures/evacuates people; administers medical aid; extinguishes small fires.
• Performs other duties including monitoring calls for assistance; investigating accidents and reported crimes; interviewing citizens; conducting searches; pursuing fleeing…