Breaking: Our Yellowstone: A heroic deal to save the Okefenokee
Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

One chart that shows just how badly Gwinnett PD needs more cops

File photo, courtesy of Gwinnett County Police Department.
File photo, courtesy of Gwinnett County Police Department.
By
Sept 1, 2017

It’s not exactly a secret: the Gwinnett County Police Department needs more officers, and it needs them now.

The department, Georgia's third-largest, has struggled with attrition for years now and currently has more than 100 vacancies.

MORE: Gwinnett police helicopter crashes at airport

But just how bad is the staffing issue?

As shown in the chart below, Gwinnett County police has far fewer officers per 1,000 residents when compared to other departments in metro Atlanta. Meeting its own minimum recommendations on that ratio would require hiring nearly 200 more officers.

The good news, though, is help may be on the way.

ExploreVisit myAJC.com to read about a possible raise for Gwinnett County’s police officers, what kind of effect their comparatively low pay has had on service and what the future might hold.
The Gwinnett County Police Department's officer-to-1,000-residents ratio is far below its counterparts in metro Atlanta. (via Gwinnett County Police Department budget presentation)
icon to expand image

MYAJC.COM: REAL JOURNALISM. REAL LOCAL IMPACT.

The AJC's Tyler Estep keeps you updated on the latest happenings in Gwinnett County government and politics. You'll find more on myAJC.com, including these stories:

Never miss a minute of what's happening in Gwinnett politics. Subscribe to myAJC.com.

In other Gwinnett news: 

About the Author

Before taking over the AJC's Sports Daily newsletter, Tyler Estep spent two years writing the A.M. ATL newsletter. A Gwinnett County native and University of Georgia graduate, he has been with the AJC since 2015 and previously worked as a reporter on the breaking news, hyperlocal and local government teams.

Follow Tyler Estep on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

The baby of Jessica Ross and Treveon Taylor suffered from rare birth complication known as shoulder dystocia — a life-threatening condition in which one or both shoulders become locked in the mother’s pelvis. (Ben Gray/AJC 2024)

Credit: Ben Gray

Atlanta doctor hit with $2M verdict for Instagram posts of decapitated baby

An Atlanta doctor must pay $2.25 million to a couple after posting to his public Instagram account graphic videos of their decapitated baby during an autopsy, a jury decided.

1h ago

Nephew charged with murder in man’s fatal shooting in DeKalb

Police found a man, later identified as Roderick Crowley, 48, who had been shot and died of his injuries. The later arrested his nephew for the crime.

2h ago

Toyota can’t dodge suit over Atlanta man’s keyless entry death, judge says

Toyota must face claims that defects in a 2017 Tacoma caused the death of an Atlanta man after he unwittingly left the vehicle idling in his garage.

The Latest

The baby of Jessica Ross and Treveon Taylor suffered from rare birth complication known as shoulder dystocia — a life-threatening condition in which one or both shoulders become locked in the mother’s pelvis. (Ben Gray/AJC 2024)

Credit: Ben Gray

Atlanta doctor hit with $2M verdict for Instagram posts of decapitated baby

1h ago

Nephew charged with murder in man’s fatal shooting in DeKalb

2h ago

A.M. ATL: More charges for ATL journalist

Featured

Instructor Daniel Jean-Baptiste reminds students to "measure twice, cut once" while using a hand saw at the Construction Ready accelerated summer program at Westside Works in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The program provides training for careers in construction and the skilled trades. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Accelerated summer program prepares Georgia students for construction careers

Through a partnership with Construction Ready, Westside Works offers students a chance to learn construction skills in just four weeks. The course normally takes 6-8 months.

Aflac discloses cybersecurity breach, the latest to rattle insurance sector

Insurance giant Aflac Inc. disclosed Friday it suffered a cybersecurity breach as part of a hacking crime spree targeting the insurance industry.

Planned Slutty Vegan airport location is a no-go after chain’s restructuring

Multiple Slutty Vegan locations have recently closed over the past few years.