Nearly four dozen new Gwinnett County police officers graduated from the department’s 100th police academy Thursday evening.
Badges were pinned onto 42 new officers who started the academy in January. The class started at a record-high 50 recruits, but eight did not graduate.
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Classes are typically between 20 and 30 recruits, but the department has increased class sizes in order to address persistent officer vacancies. The 99th class had 20 recruits graduate and become officers.
The department is still hiring for police officer positions. All candidates must undergo a physical evaluation and background check, and the hiring process is typically complete within 90 days.
Pay starts at $37,156 for candidates without a bachelor’s degree and $39,385 for those with a bachelor’s degree.
After one year, officers without a bachelor’s degree receive a pay increase to $41,538, and those with a bachelor’s degree receive an increase to $44,030. Within three years, officers without degrees can be paid $47,623, and those with degrees can be paid $50,480 if they complete additional training. Officers can also apply for specialized units, including SWAT and detective positions, within two years.
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