Tight public budgets and stagnant pay rates are sending metro Atlanta police officers to neighboring towns or counties in search of better pay and benefits.
For taxpayers, the turnover could mean thousands of dollars in lost training costs and hiring expenses. For residents of these areas, it might deprive them of experienced officers with knowledge of the communities they serve.
In 2011, at least four officers left Cobb County for jobs in other departments, according to the county; the department’s voluntary resignations jumped from 14 in 2010 to 29 last year. The county, which has 600 officers, has filled the positions.
“It takes about one year from hire date for that officer to be riding solo in a car being productive,” Cobb police Chief John Houser said. “With salary, benefits and training costs, it could be around $80,000 to train an employee, so it’s very expensive when you add up that year’s cost and the number that are leaving.”
In Friday's newspaper, the AJC takes a deep look at police officers leaving town for better pay. It's a story you'll get only by picking up a copy of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution or logging on to the paper's iPad app. Subscribe today.
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