Salary & Benefits

$2,000 Hiring Incentive

Police Officer Trainee - $42,985 (plus a 3% incentive for a 2-year degree or a 6% incentive for a 4-year college degree)

Police Officer Senior - $48,055 (plus two possible incentives – salary plus 3% incentive for a 2-year degree or 6% incentive for a 4-year college degree and/or salary plus 6% incentive for a designated specialized unit)

Police Officer Senior (5 years) - $56,218 base salary (plus two possible incentives – salary plus 3% incentive for a 2-year degree or a 6% incentive for a 4-year college degree. Plus, an additional 6% incentive for a designated specialized unit).

Master Police Officer - $52,976 (plus two possible incentives – salary plus 3% incentive for a 2-year degree or 6% incentive for a 4-year college degree and/or salary plus 6% incentive for a designated specialized unit)

Police Officer Trainees are automatically promoted to Police Officer Senior on their one-year anniversary with successful completion of the police academy and field training program.

After two years at the rank of Police Officer Senior, officers are eligible for a non-competitive promotion to Master Police Officer with the completion of certain training requirements.

Gwinnett County has a 12-step pay system with 4% annual raises.

2 year college degree - 3% increase to base salary

4 year college degree - 6% increase to base salary

Tuition reimbursement is available after 2 years of service for associate, bachelor, and master degrees.

A 6% Specialized Assignment Incentive is given to officers working in specialized units including S.W.A.T., Training, Criminal Investigations, Accident Reconstruction, Internal Affairs, and others. Officers are typically not eligible for specialized assignments within the first two years of employment with GCPD. Qualified Officers can earn both the Education Incentive and the Specialized Unit Incentive concurrently, for a total of either 9% or 12%.

Lateral Transfers - Applicants currently or formerly employed by a full-service law enforcement agency in any state will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for lateral entry.  Applicants will not be considered for lateral entry if they have taken a break from service longer than two years.  Military police service does not meet the qualification of full-service law enforcement agency.

Approved lateral transfers are hired at the rank of Police Officer Senior. The starting salary range is $46,207 - $54,056 (plus a 3% or 6% education incentive for those with a 2-year or 4-year college degree, respectively). The lateral transfer’s years of service will be compared to GCPD officers with similar years of service to set starting salary.

As of January 1, 2022, P.O.S.T. has made it easier for certified out-of-state officers and Military Peace Officers to transfer certification to Georgia. View the Equivalency of Training Information document for more details.

In-State Lateral Transfer - In-state lateral transfers may qualify for an abbreviated training program.

Out-of-State Lateral Transfer - Out-of-state lateral transfers must attend the full academy session in order to be certified as a police officer in Georgia and obtain training required by the Gwinnett County Police Department.

Officers are issued all uniforms, equipment, body armor, computer, and duty weapon. All items are replaced on a regular schedule.

All officers are issued a police vehicle, which are typically replaced at four-year intervals. Officers are permitted to drive their patrol car home if they live in Gwinnett County or within 15 miles of the county line.

Defined Contribution Retirement Plan 401(a) - Employees choose 2.5%, 5.0% or 7.5% contribution. The County contributes 7%.  Employees are fully vested at 5 years.

More retirement plans information.

• Health, dental, vision, prescription drug insurance plans
• 12 paid holidays per year
• 13 days leave accrued per year at hire (ascending thereafter)
• 13 days sick leave accrued per year at hire (ascending thereafter)
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent Care
• HSA/HRA available
• Additional incentive leave for Accident-Free Awards, Officer of the Month, and annual physical fitness testing
• Basic, optional, and dependent life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• On-site medical wellness center
• Wellness incentive programs
• Immunizations
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Longevity pay after three years
• Paid training
• Employee Assistance Program
• Off-duty employment opportunities

More employment and benefits information.