Gwinnett County news: Just how bad is the police officer shortage?

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.

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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:

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About the Author

Tyler Estep

Before taking over the AJC's morning newsletter, Tyler Estep worked as a reporter covering DeKalb County, its government and its people. A Gwinnett County native and University of Georgia graduate, he has been with the AJC since 2015. He previously covered his home county and served stints on the paper's hyperlocal and breaking news teams.