Police Officer Trainee or Police Officer Sworn

Police Officer Trainee or Police Officer Sworn

Salary

$47,209.00 Annually

Location

Savannah, GA

Job Type

Full-Time Interim

Job Number

2602867

Department

Savannah Police Department

Division

Patrol Division

Opening Date

01/01/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Purpose

New Starting Annual Salary !

New Sign On Bonus !

Police Officer Trainees will start at $47,209/year

Police Officer at $60,359/year.

Lateral Officer $60,359 to $65,000*

• 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 ....

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 theVA OJT Apprenticeship Benefitswebsite 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

Essential Job Functions

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Valid driver's license and high school diploma or GED is required. Applicant must be 21 years of age by the date of hire and must be a citizen of the United States or a repatriated or naturalized citizen of the United States.

An extensive background investigation, and post-offer/pre-employment medical exam including supervised drug screen will be conducted.

DRIVER'S LICENSE HISTORY MUSTNOTCONTAIN:

• 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 MUSTNOT 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.

Additional Information

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

1. 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.

CITY OF SAVANNAH EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Overview of Benefits

Paid Holiday

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Defined Benefit Retirement Pension Plan

Protective Services Retirement Plan (select positions)

Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan

Retirement Seminars

PPO Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Wellness Programs

Health & Wellness Incentives

Long Term Disability

Excellence and Service Recognition

Employee Development and In-Service Training

Educational Assistance Program

Uniform Allowance (select positions)

Employee Assistance Program

Discounts and Memberships

Employee Relations

Direct Deposit

Credit Union

Pretax Parking Deductions

Employer Assisted Home Purchase Program

Domestic Partnership Benefits

Healthcare

PPO Medical Plus Plan

PPO Medical Basic Plan

Dental Plus Plan

Dental Basic Plan

Vision Service Plan

Life Insurance

Basic Life and ADD

Supplemental Life Employee

Supplemental Life Spouse

Supplemental Life Child

Benefits costs are paid by the City of Savannah, by the employee or shared by both the City and the employee.

01

The Savannah Police Department Preliminary Applicant Questionnaire is to help candidates identify their eligibility. It is designed to help candidates better understand the nature of professional policing. The information you provide will be used for future reference, and will be verified by other sources. This information will be used in your background investigation. If the SPD determines that you knowingly provided inaccurate/false information, you will be disqualified from future consideration for employment with SPD. After answering the questions listed below, you may have questions regarding certain aspects of the job. If this is the case, please review the SPD standards and give additional thought to those aspects of the job that you may not have previously considered. Please read and answer the questions carefully. The answers you provide will be used to determine if you are eligible to continue in the application process for a Police Officer position with SPD. Please enter your initials to acknowledge your understanding of this statement.

02

Which position are you applying for?

• Police Officer Trainee
• Lateral Police Officer

03

Are you a United States Citizen?

• Yes
• No

04

List all alias names (names you have been known by, to include nicknames). Separate each name with a comma.

05

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06

Has your Driver's License ever been suspended?

• Yes
• No

07

If yes, please provide date and reason for suspension.

08

Please indicate which branch of the Armed Forces you have served in below.

• Army
• Air Force
• Coast Guard
• Marine Corp
• Navy
• National Guard
• Not Applicable

09

What state(s) have you been a sworn certified peace officer in? Is your certification active? When did your certification expire? Enter N/A if you have never been in law enforcement.

10

If you are currently or were previously employed with a law enforcement agency or correctional agency, are you currently, or have you ever been under investigation by a certifying agency (i.e. POST); or, do you have any pending disciplinary actions or internal investigations?

• Yes
• No

11

If you answered Yes to the previous question, did the investigation(s) involve ethics violations or fairness and impartiality allegations?

• Yes
• No

12

List ALL current telephone numbers. Separate each phone number with a comma. (Format: XXX-XXX-XXXX)

13

List ALL current email addresses. Separate each email address with a comma.

14

Do you have any tattoos?

• Yes
• No

15

If Yes, please describe and list locations. Please also attach photos of your tattoos for vetting purposes.

16

Does your employment history in the last 3 years include any of the following: (Check all that apply):

• Termination
• Disciplinary History
• Unsatisfactory Work Performance
• None of the Above

17

If Yes, please explain, be specific and include dates.

18

Do you have any pending criminal cases?

• Yes
• No

19

Please indicate if you have ever been convicted of a felony offense as:

• Juvenile
• Adult
• None of the Above

20

Do you have any convictions, nolo contendre, or pleas involving sexual offenses, Domestic Violence Act, impersonating a police officer, perjury, or false statement?

• Yes
• No

21

Has an Ex-Parte or other type of Restraining Order ever been placed against you?

• Yes
• No

22

If you answered yes, please explain.

23

Have you used illegal drugs to include marijuana in the last year?

• Yes
• No

24

Have you ever sold or distributed illegal drugs?

• Yes
• No

25

Have you ever been a member of or had any association with any hate group, gang, or terrorist organization?

• Yes
• No

26

If yes, please explain.

27

Please add any additional information that you would like to provide PERTAINING TO YOUR BACKGROUND that you feel might be important in determining your eligibility for this position.

28

Please attach a copy of your high school diploma or high school transcripts to this application.

• Yes
• No

29

Please attach a copy of your DD214 to this application.

• Yes
• No

30

Please attach a copy of your college transcripts/e-script (if applicable) to this application. Official copies of your college transcript/e-script should be mailed to ....

• Yes
• No

31

Why did you choose to apply to Savannah Police Department?

Required Question