Sworn Positions

General Requirements

• At least 21 years of age
• United States citizen
• No felony convictions, or misdemeanor convictions involving violence or moral turpitude
• High School Diploma / GED certificate
• Valid Driver’s License
• Military discharge form DD214 (if applicable)
• Social Security Card
• Birth Certificate
• College diploma (if applicable)
• P.O.S.T. Entry Exam (refer to Georgia P.O.S.T. website)
• Georgia Peace Officer Certificate (if applicable)

Recruitment Process

Recruitment activities are structured so that candidates must successfully complete all phases of the testing process:

1. Preliminary reference verification interview
2. Comprehensive background check
3. Written examination
4. Polygraph test
5. Psychological evaluation
6. Oral interview
7. Physical agility evaluation
8. Assessment Center (if applicable)

Job Overview – Police Officer

Police Officers with the Milledgeville Police Department perform responsible law enforcement duties in the protection of life and property, the prevention of crime, and the preservation of public peace. Work involves responding to calls for service, patrolling assigned areas, conducting preliminary and follow-up investigations, enforcing traffic and criminal laws, and engaging in proactive, community-oriented policing.

Officers are expected to exercise sound judgment under stress, make lawful decisions consistent with department policy and Georgia law, and maintain a professional, courteous demeanor with the public, coworkers, and partnering agencies. Duties include preparing written reports, collecting and preserving evidence, testifying in court, and maintaining accurate documentation that may be used in criminal and civil proceedings.

Work is performed under the general supervision of a shift supervisor or other designated command staff and is reviewed through reports, observation, and overall performance. Officers may work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and must be able to perform the physical demands of the job, including extended periods of standing, walking, and responding to emergency situations.

Employment Information (2025)

The Police Officer position is part of a 24-hour operation that uses 12-hour shift rotations, consisting of both day shifts (6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.) and night shifts (6:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.). The current annual salary for a certified patrol officer is $48,764.22.

Upon hire, new officers begin on an 8-hour schedule (typically 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) with some dates requiring later hours to accommodate administrative tasks and ride-alongs with field training officers. During this conditional employment period, applicants who are not already certified through the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Council must submit a P.O.S.T. application, which includes:

• P.O.S.T. entrance examination
• Physical examination
• Fingerprint submission and background review
• Execution of the P.O.S.T. Code of Ethics

Candidates are also required to successfully complete the Physical Agility Test (PAT) required to attend a law enforcement academy in Georgia. The PAT is a timed obstacle course, and additional information is available on the Georgia P.O.S.T. Council website.

Once approved by P.O.S.T., and during the conditional employment period, the department will register the officer for the earliest available Basic Law Enforcement Training Course. This course is approximately 20 weeks (810 hours) of classroom lecture and practical skills, typically conducted at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in Forsyth, Georgia. While in the academy, GPSTC sets the training schedule.

The offer of employment is conditional, in part, upon:

• P.O.S.T. approval and eligibility
• Successful completion of the 810-hour basic law enforcement course
• Completion of two separate 14-work-day blocks and a shadow phase in the Field Training program

Meeting these requirements is mandatory for transition to permanent employment status. Once all training is successfully completed, officers are assigned to a permanent 12-hour shift rotation (days or nights), based on the needs of the agency and current staffing. Officers may be moved to another shift due to operational needs; when possible, volunteers for shift changes may be requested first.

Salary & Benefits

Starting Salaries

• Non-Certified / Training Phase – salary based on entry level while in academy and training
• Certified Police Officer – $48,764.22
  *Upon successful completion of police academy and training, pay advances to the certified level.

Benefits include insurance (80% Health, 100% Life), vacation leave, sick leave, military leave, holiday pay, retirement, and EAS services. A take-home vehicle is available for officers residing within 30 road miles of the Milledgeville Police Department, consistent with departmental policy.