| as your choice for a career. We are a world class organization proudly serving a world class community. Just as the City of Savannah and Chatham County are unique communities, rich with history but overflowing with constant change and growth, so is the Metro Police Department special and unique.
We are building an organization of outstanding individuals focused on excellence in everything we do. We are proud to serve a community that includes one of the fastest growing seaports in the United States, that requires us to patrol over 600 miles of waterway, and land areas that range from rural Georgia to dense, urban populations—over 430 square miles--with all of the challenges that confront police throughout this nation.
We are looking for exceptional individuals to join our team. Individuals who are committed to working with their community in total partnership as we work together to improve the quality of life for everyone who works, lives and plays in our county. We are a police department that fully embraces the philosophy of community oriented policing and merges that with our primary focus of creating a safe and secure community—we are a crime-fighting organization focused on rooting out that small group of individuals among us who break the law.
Take a hard look at our organization: if you are truly committed to making a difference in people’s lives, if you are looking to live a life of service within a high-performing agency in a community that loves and respects its Police Department, consider joining us.
We are a demanding organization—we strive to be the premier law enforcement agency in the Southeastern United States and we want only the best officers. For those few selected to join our team, we offer the top pay in the region, an excellent benefit package including educational incentives and the opportunity to work in every aspect of policing from crime scene forensics to being a member of the SWAT team to Marine Patrol or being on the Mounted Unit.
As Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the world ... indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Come, check us out, watch our recruiting video below and see if you have what it takes to join our elite team of leaders
Applications for non-certified officers and GA certified are accepted on an open, continuous basis.
Test dates are scheduled upon receipt of applications.
Please download and complete the attached personal history questionnaire after reading the departmental background standards.
Applicants must return the completed personal history document when they arrive for testing.
Please download and complete the attached personal history questionnaire after reading the departmental background standards and truthfulness letter.
Applicants must return the completed personal history questionnaire and truthfulness letter when they arrive for testing.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The City of Savannah provides a number of employee benefits including:
- Life Insurance
- Group Medical Insurance
- Wellness Program
- Pension Plan
- Credit Union
- College tuition assistance program and $1,000.00 annual incenntive pay for a college degree after completion of two years of service.
In addition, the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department provides all basic equipment including uniforms, body armor, weapon, leather gear, and footwear with an allowance for uniform maintenance.
Vacation & Holiday Leave
City employees earn 10 paid holidays per year. The vacation year runs from January 1 to December 31. Vacation is earned from the date of employment, but may not be taken during the first 6 months of service. Vacation time earned is based upon years of service with the City of Savannah.
1 - 4 Years Service | 12 Days Per Year |
5 - 9 Years Service | 14 Days Per Year |
10 - 14 Years Service | 18 Days Per Year |
15 + Years of Service | 20 Days Per Year |
Sick Leave
Sick leave is earned at the rate of 1 day per month. You may accumulate a maximum of 260 days of sick leave. Supervisors routinely assess employee sick leave usage.
Military Leave
If you are member of a National Guard or military reserve unit, you are permitted up to 18 paid days of military leave per year.
POLICE OFFICER APPLICANT INFORMATION
MINIMUM APPLICATION STANDARDS
- US Citizen
- 21 Years of Age
- High School Diploma or GED Certificate
- No Felony or Serious Misdemeanor Convictions
- Vision Corrected to 20/20 with Normal Color Vision
- Valid Driver's License
TESTING AND PROCESSING
Phase I
- Complete Online Application
- Written Examination
- Physical Fitness Test
- Oral Board Interview
- Polygraph Examination
- GA Peace Officers Standards and Training Examination
Phase II
- Extensive Background Investigation
Phase III
- Conditional Offer of Employment
- Psychological Evaluation
- Medical Examination
- Final Interview for Employment
Training
- Initial training consists of a 11 weeks state mandate academy with daily physical training. Most candidates will attend the Armstrong Atlantic State University Criminal Justice Training Center, located in Savannah. However, other academies around the state of Georgia may also be used.
- Upon completion of the academy, you will receive an additional 5 weeks of In-Service training at SCMPD.
- Four Weeks of Walking Beat Patrols
- Your training will continue during your first assignment at one of the six Patrol Division Precincts. Here you will be assigned to a certified Police Training Officer for your "hands on" training, which will last 10 weeks.
- Once you have completed field training, you will begin working solo. However, your training will continue through evaluations and follow-up training.
- The probationary period is for the first 12 months of employment with SCMPD.
PAY SCALE / LATERAL ENTRY
While in the Academy & Five Week In-Service Program all trainees and lateral entries receive $32,471.
- New Hires with either two-years' police experience, or a four-year Degree after Swearing In Ceremony receive:
STEP 1A $36,769
STEP 4 $37,504 after three years
- New Hires with no experience and/or no four-year college degre receive: $34,115
STEP 2 $35.442 after completion of 1 year
STEP 3 $36,769 after completion of 2 years
STEP 4 $37,504 after completion of 4 years
College Degrees
- You will be eligible for the skill base award of $1000.00 for your college degree after your second year with SCMPD
- This will then be awarded annually after your second year.
LATERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- State POST Certification, from any state
- Full time employment for 2 continuous years as a police officer within the last 24 months.
- Applicants employed by a “Full Service Agency”.
- Applicants employed by “Full Service University Police” will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Full Service is defined as an agency that responds to calls for service, makes arrests and files criminal cases without the service of another law enforcement agency.
- Law enforcement in the following areas DOES NOT apply:
- Corrections,
- Military Police
- District Attorney’s Office.
Assignments
Once you've completed 2 years of continuous sworn service with SCMPD, or have completed 1 year of continuous sworn service with the department and at least 2 years continuous law enforcement service with another law enforcement agency, you are eligible to apply for any of the depaartment's specialized assignments.
The City of Savannah is an Equal Opportunity Employer. |