How to Become a Police officer in Georgia

The information below is subject to change at any moment so please visit the official webpage of the law enforcement agency you’re interested in working for.

Basic qualifications to becoming a police officer in Georgia begin with a minimum age of 21 years old and a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Candidates must have a valid Georgia or South Carolina driver’s license, an excellent driving record and no felony convictions. Good physical and mental health is necessary, and U.S. citizenship an absolute requirement.

Although Georgia has a Certified Peace Officer Program, attaining the certificate is not a requirement but it is a preference on the part of employers. Preference also is given to candidates who have earned an Associate Degree or who have prior law enforcement experience.

That said, becoming a Certified Peace Officer is certainly a good starting step. The certification process is regulated by the Georgia Police Officers Standards and Training Council (POST) and taking a look at the organization’s website will provide a great deal of useful information. It can be accessed at www.gpstc.org. Check out the Quick Link menu on the left and click on Becoming a Police Officer.

Police Officer Certification Process in GA

The certification course is an intense 11-week training program offered by the Georgia Public Safety Training Center at seven locations throughout the state: Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Dalton, Forsythe, Savannah and Tifton. In addition there are two contract institutions at College Park and Austell.

Students at the academies may already have been employed by a police agency. In these instances they already have been screened to meet minimum standards. Students who are not employed by a policeagency are “Pre-Service Candidates” and must go though an application and screening process to assure minimum standards to become a peace officer in Georgia are met. Pre-Service Candidates should call a facility directly to begin the process. A list of the academies and links to their websites can be found at www.gpstc.org/divisions/basictraining.html.

Peace Officer Disqualification Factors

In addition to the minimum standards noted above, there are some additional qualifications candidates will have to meet before acceptance into an academy.

For instance, above and beyond the prohibition concerning felony convictions, candidates also must show that they have not been convicted of “sufficient misdemeanors to establish a pattern of disregard for law.” They will have to be fingerprinted to allow the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to do a criminal background check. Candidates also will have to pay for and pass a drug screen test. The cost of the background investigation and drug screening, currently $245, is paid for by the candidate.

The application process also requires taking and passing an entrance examination and an interview with the academy manager. If both these final steps are passed, an application to attend the academy must be submitted, with a processing fee of $150.

The full cost of attending the academy for a Pre-Service Candidate is $3,093, payable on the first day of class.

The process and requirements in Georgia are detailed and candidates should definitely access the POST website to become familiar with all the details before starting the process.

Capital Police Duties

Duties & Responsibilities: Performs all tasks assigned by the Supervisor. Provides general security of Governor’s Mansion and grounds. Provides public and employee relations assistance.

Minimum Training & Experience: All applicants for this position must be a high school graduate or have a GED equivalent. Applicants who are not POST certifed in Georgia will be sent to a regional academy for their POST requirements.

Applicants must also successfully pass the pre-employment process which includes the written exam, background and criminal record checks, oral interview, psychological evaluation, physical fitness evaluation, drug screen, polygraph and meet other requirements for certification as a Peace Officer by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST).

Medical Standards : Vision : minimum vision of 20/60 uncorrected in each eye, and corrected to 20/40 or better in both eyes with glasses or contact lenses. Additional medical standards must be met prior to final offer of employment.
Physical Standards: A physical Fitness Assessment will be conducted as one of the steps in the hiring process.

Georgia State Police (GSP) – PT (Physical Fitness) Requirements

11/2 MILE RUN-This is a timed run to measure the heart and vascular system’s capability to transport oxygen.

PUSH-UPS-This is a combination of upper body strength and endurance. There is no time limit, however you cannot stop and then start again.

BENCH PRESS-This is a maximum weight pushed from the bench press position and measures the amount of force the upper body can generate .The number on the bench press chart is a percentage of your body weight.

SIT AND REACH-This is a measure of the flexibility of the lower back and upper leg area. Start by sitting down on the floor with legs extended. With your shoes off and the bottom of your feet touching a box, position a yardstick on the box with 15 inch mark on the edged of the box and the one inch mark toward you Now simply lean forward with the two middle fingers on top of the other and touch as far down the yardstick as possible.

SIT-UPS-The number of sit-ups you do will be determined by the number you do in one minute. This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the abdominal muscles

Frequently asked questions about becoming a Trooper.*

If I am already certified as a peace officer do I have to go through the entire Trooper
school?
Yes, it is 33 weeks long

Do I have to be a Georgia resident to apply?
No

Do I have to live on site during training?
Yes, you cannot leave for the first month. After the first month you can go home on
Friday and return on Sunday evening. (This is for the four months of training at the
training center) then you go to Field Training at three various posts throughout the state.
Typically one month at each of the three posts.

Will I be disqualified during the hiring process for certain things?
You may apply and go through the process but each individual applicant will be screened
and there is no way to tell until a thorough background check is completed.

Remember credit, character, past employment, driving history, and prior drug use are many things
that we consider during the hiring process. If you have concerns about any of these you
should clear them up before applying. YOU MUST BE HONEST!

What are the most difficult things about Trooper school?
There are many, including being away from home, physical training, long hours, mentally
challenging, drivers training, firearms, crash investigation and being confined to the
training center under constant supervision.

Where is Trooper school held?
At the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth Georgia, located about 1 hour
south of Atlanta off of I-75.

Do I get paid while going to Trooper school?
Yes, you also get the complete benefit package once you are hired.

Do I get a take home patrol car?
Yes, upon graduation.

Does prior military get any preference?
Yes, you can bring a completed DD-214 form to testing to receive veterans performance
points.

Can I receive mail at the training center?
Yes, an address will be provided as well as the training center phone number for
emergency contact.

What do I bring to testing?
A completed application, picture I.D, prior military must bring a completed DD-214 form
to receive veterans performance points.

Is there an age limit to apply?
No, if you can pass all the requirements including the physical agility requirements you
will be considered for Trooper school. Applicants must however be 21 years of age upon
graduation.

How long is the hiring process?
It usually take 4-6 months (but may vary) to go through the hiring process including
background and interviews.

How many trips will I have to make to Georgia if I live out of state?
We try to minimize the number of trips and incorporate them if we can.

What items do I bring to the academy?
After you are hired and go through orientation you will be given specific instructions on
what to bring.

Will I work alone or with a partner?
Most troopers work in a car alone, however various circumstances and special events
may require or allow troopers to work in pairs.

Will I get a raise every year?
There are no step raises or annual increases for experience, however all state employees
often receive performance increases as determined by the Legislature. Last year this
increase was 2%.

What shifts will I be required to work?
As a trooper, you will be required to work rotating shifts which vary depending on the
post you are assigned to. Generally, most posts provide 24-hour coverage.

Where will my first assignment be?
There are no guarantees as to the first assignment, however at the end of trooper school,
you are usually given three choices. 

* Make sure to visit the official GSP website for confirmation as these FAQ may longer be updated.