What are the responsibilities and job description for the Police Officer Trainee or Police Officer Sworn position at City of Savannah?
New Starting Annual Salary !
New Sign On Bonus !
Police Officer Trainees will start at $47,209/year.
Police Officer at $60,309/year.
Lateral Officer $60,309 to $69,998*
* based on years of experience
The purpose of this job is to obtain basic training and understanding in municipal law enforcement principles and procedures and its relationship with the judicial system and corrections. A Police officer trainee is a non-sworn employee of a police department. Your responsibilities revolve around learning basic skills and procedures needed to be a police officer. In addition to training, you may observe professional police officers as they perform their duties. Under direct guidance and supervision, receives field training and assists in the enforcement of local, state, and federal laws.
Applicants hired as Police Officer Trainees will start at $47,209/year. Upon graduation of the Academy and being sworn in, applicants will move to the position of Police Officer at $60,309/year.
For any questions, or more information about becoming a Police Officer Trainee or Sworn Police Officer with Savannah Police Department, please visit www.SavannahPD.org, or call 912-651-4226.
We offer an excellent benefits package to include: 12 paid holidays, medical/dental/vision insurance, wellness programs, education reimbursement, employee referral program, employer home purchase assistance, deferred benefit contribution plan, 457 B, Police Officer Annuity Benefit (POAB), may be eligible for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits and U.S. Department of Veterans OJT Apprenticeship program
Visit the VA OJT Apprenticeship Benefits website to see how it works
Did you know that working for a government agency (state, local or Federal) may qualify you for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness?
All applicants are required to complete the Personal Data Form and Background Information Questionnaire by clicking on the links below:
Savannah Police Department Pre-Employment Personal Data Form
Savannah Police Department Pre-Employment Background Information Questionnaire
Women, Minorities & Veterans Encouraged to Apply!
The City of Savannah is an Equal Opportunity Employer
- Learns major functions of inter-relationship and elements of law enforcement, judicial system, and correctional institution.
- Learns to recognize ethical and unethical police behavior and characteristics of the law enforcement profession.
- Enrolls in and completes courses in such areas as constitutional law, Georgia criminal law, criminal procedure, rules of evidence, juvenile law, liability, interpersonal communications, police stress management, patrol operations, criminal reporting, crisis intervention, criminal investigations, preliminary investigations, etc.
- Works toward completion of state certification by Police Academy.
- Trains and studies with police equipment and other training personnel to develop and maintain competency and proficiency.
- Assists in patrolling assigned areas of responsibility to prevent and reduce criminal activity.
- Assists in preparing reports on incidents and arrests.
- Assists in enforcing traffic laws; conducts vehicle stops; investigates traffic accidents; writes citations.
- Operates miscellaneous equipment including emergency vehicles, radar, and breath alcohol analyzers.
- Assists in the processing of evidence and the preparation of court cases; may provide legal testimony as required.
- Writes and files daily activity report with superior officer.
- Performs other related duties as assigned
An extensive background investigation, and post-offer/pre-employment medical exam including supervised drug screen will be conducted.
DRIVER'S LICENSE HISTORY MUST NOT CONTAIN:
- DUI/DWI charge with the disposition of Nolo Contendre, conviction, or plea within the past 5 years, and no two in the past 7 years
- Suspensions in the past 3 years (except for one Insurance Cancellation) and no two suspensions in the past 7 years.
- Three or more moving violations in the past 2 years and no more than 6 in the past 7 years
- Vehicular Homicide, Hit and Run, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude the Police charge/arrest
CRIMINAL HISTORY MUST NOT CONTAIN:
- Pending Criminal cases
- Convictions, Nolo Contendre or pleas involving Sexual Offenses, Domestic Violence Act or Impersonation a Police Officer, Perjury or False Statements including first offender pleas
- Felony convictions and Nolo Contendre or pleas involving felony arrests including first offender pleas
- Serious Misdemeanor Convictions, Nolo Contendre, or pleas
APPLICANTS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED ON THE FOLLOWING:
- Untruthfulness or the omission of information throughout the application process
- Anything other than an Honorable Discharge from Armed Forces
- Membership or association with any hate or terrorist group
- Unsatisfactory work history within the past three years
- Unsatisfactory information derived from extensive background investigation
- Possession or sale of a controlled substance
- Marijuana use within the past year
- Use of a controlled substance to include marijuana; however, any use of a controlled substance, including marijuana, which is deemed to be experimental will be reviewed on a case by case basis
Individuals hired as Police Officers must comply with a No Use of Tobacco Agreement.
I understand this position involves the following terms of employment due to its designation as Safety Sensitive:
• I will be subject to random drug testing.
• Failure to participate or give a urine sample will result in my termination.
• If I test positive for an illegal substance I will be terminated.
• The City will conduct motor vehicle record (MVR) checks at any time during my employment.
• If I fail to maintain an MVR that meets the City's driver eligibility requirements I will be terminated.
• I must report any DUI arrest/citation issued by law enforcement to my supervisor within twenty-four (24) hours of the event.
• If I am convicted of a DUI, I may be terminated for not meeting the City's driver eligibility requirements.
• I may be required to participate in a City authorized Employee Assistance Program and that failure to agree to participate will result in my termination.
Police Officer Trainee- Sign-On Bonus schedule
$1,000 @ time of hire
$1,000 @ after Patrol Officer Training phase (approximately 34 weeks)
$2,000 @ 1st year anniversary
$3,500 @ 2nd year anniversary
Lateral Entry Bonus Schedule
$1,500 @ time of hire
$1,500 @ after Patrol Officer Training phase (time based on prior experience)
$2,500 @ 1st year anniversary
$4,500 @ 2nd year anniversary
Retention Bonus
For Police Officers Reaching Their 3rd Year Anniversary Date on or after January 1, 2023: Qualified Officers must:
• have three (3) or more consecutive years of service from their most recent hire date
• be at the Rank of Police Officer
• sign and submit a Two-Year Commitment Agreement
1. Police Officer signs 2-year commitment agreement, then receives
a. $4000 (gross) at 3rd year anniversary date – 1st incentive payment
b. $2500 (gross) at 4th year anniversary date – 2nd incentive payment
2. Police Officer signs 2-year commitment agreement, then receives
c. $2500 (gross) at 5th year anniversary date – 3rd incentive payment
d. $2500 (gross) at 6th year anniversary date – 4th incentive payment
Additional Information
The application and selection process will consist of the following:
Physical Agility Test (PAT) Course Description:
- The course measures a total of 870 feet (290 yards/265.2 meters) (half-court basketball court).
- There is a time limit of two minutes six seconds (2:06)–time starts on candidate’s movement from the starting line and ends when they pass the finish line.
- The course consists of a series of nine interspersed individual tasks, arranged in a continuous format that may be viewed as being essential (physical) job tasks for law enforcement training:
Penalties Assessed:
- 2 seconds for knocked down hurdles,
- 2 seconds for foot faults on “ditch simulation”,
- 3 physical attempts “through the window” and “over the fence” before evaluator can offer run around
- If a candidate skips stairs going down, they will be returned to the stair landing and repeat.
*Requirement must be met by the start of the POST academy.
- Polygraph Examination
- Extensive Background Investigation
- Oral Board Interview
- Interview with the Police Chief
- Medical Examination
- Psychological Evaluation
Figure 1: Physical Agility Test (PAT) Course Description
Applicants will be performing the above series of nine interspersed individual tasks, arranged in a continuous format that may be viewed as being essential (physical) job tasks for peace officer training: Running
There is a time limit of two minutes six seconds (2:06 = 126 seconds)—time starts on candidates' movement from the starting line and ends when they pass the finish line.
Salary : $3,500 - $47,209
