Duluth Police Department starting public safety ambassador program
The Duluth Police Department is starting a new public safety ambassador program and is looking to hire two civilians for the job.
The unarmed ambassadors will work with the department as non-sworn employees, providing assistance in tasks that can be handled without a police officer, including non-emergency, low-risk incidents like assistance with traffic direction, private property accidents, lost and found property and abandoned vehicles, Duluth police spokesperson Ted Sadowski said.
“We can better allocate our sworn officers’ time and expertise where it matters most, ensuring the safety and well-being of our community,” Sadowski said.
The ambassadors will have to participate in mandatory training of three to five weeks in the classroom and three to four weeks in the field, Sadowski said. The ambassadors will work Monday through Friday and make about $40,000 a year.
In 2017, the Marietta Police Department started a similar program but with eight ambassadors. That department now has 13 ambassadors and is looking to possibly expand the program by adding additional duties which ultimately could increase the number of ambassadors, Marietta police spokesperson Chuck McPhilamy said.
Those interested in Duluth’s program can learn more or apply on the city’s website. Applicants will go through an interview and the two ambassadors will need to pass a background check, psychological examination, polygraph test, and drug screening. They must be 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED and have a valid Georgia driver’s license.
About the Author
Jillian Price covers local news for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is a graduate of Baylor University and the University of Texas at Austin. She joined the AJC in 2022 and mainly covers Gwinnett County cities.
