Correction Officer Trainee Jobs in Georgia (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $48,484.00 Annually
Location : 201 Habersham Street, 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
Purpose
New Starting Annual Salary !
New Sign On Bonus ! $7,500 for Recruits / $10,000 for Laterals
Police Officer Trainees will start at $48,484/year
Police Officer at $61,989/year
Lateral Officer $61,989 to $66,755
* Based on years of experience
INCENTIVES FOR LATERAL ENTRY POLICE OFFICERS
Lateral Entry Officers with at least 2 years of experience are eligible for advancement to Corporal rank 1 year after obtaining solo status.
Lateral Entry Officers are eligible for a take home vehicle upon obtaining solo status.
Lateral Entry Officers are granted immediate eligibility for Extra Duty work upon gaining solo status ($50.00 an hour at a 4-hour minimum).
Lateral Entry Officers in good standing are eligible to transfer to Specialized Units one year after obtaining solo status.
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 $48,484/year. Upon graduation of the Academy and being sworn in, applicants will move to the position of Police Officer at $61,989/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 thewebsite 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:
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.
• Performs Shift Work.

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
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.
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