Entry Level Police Jobs in Georgia (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $25.96 - $39.81 Hourly
Location : Cobb County Police Department, GA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 04365
Department: Public Safety- Police (HR Use ONLY)
Opening Date: 01/09/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Grade Code: PO2
Position Information
Visit us at https://joincobbpolice.com/
The Cobb County Police Department is a CALEA-accredited and nationally recognized full-service law enforcement agency, with an authorized strength of over 700 sworn officers, located in the metropolitan Atlanta area, and services a population of approximately 800,000 citizens. In response to the recent expansion of our workforce, we are looking for highly motivated, hardworking, and ethical men and women who are seeking a career in law enforcement, to join our progressive department and serve a great community.
Applicants must complete a Physical Agility Test (PAT) (obstacle course)in 2:06 or less (2 minutes and 6 seconds).
Order of Events for PAT:
Run 1 ¾ Laps around Perimeter of Course & Enter the Interior of Course;
Jump 2 Low Hurdles;
Negotiate a set of Stairs 2 times;
Jump 1 Low Hurdle;
Crawl Under an Obstacle set at 2' above the floor;
Jump 6' L Ditch Simulation;
Climb over 4' H Chain Link Fence;
Climb through 4' H Window;
Drag 150-pound weight (Dummy) 20 feet;
Finish with 1 Lap plus 24' Around Perimeter of Course.
COMPENSATION
BASE PAY
Entry Level Police Officer: $54,000
Lateral Officer Pay: Lateral entry applicants will be given credit for years of service and placed accordingly in the Step in Grade pay scale.
SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL

• Evening Shift officers receive an additional $0.50/hour.
• Morning Shift officers receive an additional $1.00/hour.

EDUCATION INCENTIVE PAY

• Associates Degree: $1,000 ($250 per quarter)
• Bachelor's Degree: $2,000 ($500 per quarter)
• Master's Degree: $3,000 ($750 per quarter)

OTHER COMPENSATION

• Take Home Vehicle Program
• Hazardous Duty Pay - where applicable
• On-Call for Court Pay
• Paid Overtime

Annual Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefits (POAB) fees paid by employer. This is a $300 per year savings and goes to your retirement.
EMPLOYER-SPONSORED BENEFITS

• Health
• Dental
• Life
• Long Term Disability

FREE WELLNESS CLINIC
A free health clinic is available for all Cobb County Employees and their dependents who have insurance with Cobb County. The clinic offers sick and well checks and many prescription medications at no cost to the employee.
VETERAN'S BENEFIT
The Cobb County Police Academy has been approved by the Georgia Department of Veterans Service as an on-the-job-training program. If you are a veteran and have contributed to the G.I. Bill, you will be eligible to receive monetary benefits while in the academy, throughout your training program and your first 18 months working test period. This is in addition to your police salary.
UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
All uniforms and job related equipment are provided by the Cobb County Police Department at no cost to you.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT
Tuition Reimbursement is available for you while you complete a college degree or certification. Reimbursable amounts are dependent upon available funding and will be proportionately distributed to all pre-approved applicants on a quarterly basis.
FITNESS CENTERS
Several of our precincts have fitness centers with both strength and aerobic training equipment and are open 24 hours a day. Additional facilities are located at police headquarters and the Department of Public Safety Training Center.
PAID VACATION LEAVE

• 13 days per year / 1 year of service
• 15 days per year / 5 years of service
• 20 days per year / 10 years of service
• 22 days per year / 15 years of service
• 25 days per year / 20 years of service

HOLIDAYS
12 paid holidays per year
PAID SICK LEAVE
Accumulates at 4.0 hours per biweekly
PAID MILITARY LEAVE
Up to 18 days per year
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE POLICY
Full-time employees will receive up to (3) days of bereavement leave with pay for (24) hours. Employees working in part time positions shall be eligible for bereavement leave equal to (3) part-time days off with pay.
PARENTAL LEAVE POLICY
Eligible full-time employees will receive six weeks paid time off to care for and bond with their newborn or newly adopted child. All eligible employees must be employed full-time at least one full year of service, having worked at least 1,250 hours during the last 12 consecutive months. Employee must have given birth to a child, be the spouse of the individual who has given birth to a child or adopted a child (adopted child must be age 17 or younger).
For further information, please contact the Office of Professional Standards at 770-528-3812 or
Click here to learn more about employment with Cobb Police Department.
Essential Functions
Attends training sessions as required to gain skills and knowledge regarding department operations, job performance, and policies, procedures, codes, and criminal/civil case law: reads professional literature and training materials; completes tests and skills assessments; and obtains and maintains professional affiliations.
Enforces all applicable codes, ordinances, laws and regulations (both traffic and criminal) in order to protect life and property, prevent crime, and promote security.
Detects and deters criminal activity: patrols designated areas; responds to calls relayed by dispatchers; writes citations; apprehends, arrests and processes criminals, fugitives and offenders as appropriate; and provides assistance and backup support to other officers and agencies as necessary.
Conducts preliminary investigations: interviews victims, complainants and witnesses and takes statements; gathers information and evidence; secures crime scenes; prepares investigative reports and sketches; participates in court activities; and testifies in judicial proceedings.
Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters, which may include lifting, dragging or carrying people away from dangerous situations, securing/evacuating people from particular areas, administering medical aid, or extinguishing small fires.
Performs other duties including monitoring and responding to calls for assistance, investigating accidents and reported crimes, interviewing citizens, conducting searches, pursuing fleeing and subduing resisting suspects, impacting arrests, and processing and transporting prisoners.
Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals: performs driving functions in a safe and efficient manner under various conditions, including day/night hours, in congested traffic, in adverse weather conditions, and in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits; inspects and maintains assigned police vehicle, uniform, weapons, and equipment.
Creates/maintains positive public relations with the general public: and provides education and information to the public on laws, law enforcement, crime prevention, drug abuse, and related issues.
Communicates via telephone and/or two-way radio: and communicates effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
Attends shift meetings, training sessions and seminars as required to remain knowledgeable of departmental operations, to promote improved job performance, and to stay current with changing policies, procedures, codes, and criminal/civil case law: reads professional literature; and maintains professional affiliations.
Operates or uses various equipment associated with law enforcement in order to complete work assignments: operates and maintains police vehicle, firearms, electronic control device, emergency equipment, radio/communications equipment and other law enforcement tools and equipment.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma or GED and ability to pass all departmental specified training and certifications prior to completion of the working test period.
Licenses and Certifications

• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License
• Must possess and maintain Georgia POST Peace Officer Certification
• May be required to obtain and maintain additional certifications as related to assignment

Physical Abilities
Tasks require the ability to exert heavy physical effort in heavy work, with greater emphasis on climbing and balancing, but typically also involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds); may occasionally involve heavier objects and materials (up to 100 pounds).
Sensory Requirements
Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, taste, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
Environmental Factors
Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature and noise extremes, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, toxic agents, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, explosives, firearms, violence, disease, pathogenic substances, or rude/irate customers.
EEO Statement
Cobb County Government is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Visit Cobb County's Employee Benefits page to learn more.
01
Important instructions: Being truthful is the most important part of your pre-hiring process. The public expects public safety employees to be of good integrity, not innocent, but truthful about their past. In addition, honesty is important as public safety employees are often required to testify in court. Please remember this throughout your process. Absolute truthfulness is a must. Cobb County recognizes that drug experimentation is not uncommon. Prior drug usage is not an automatic dis-qualifier for public safety positions, however, dishonesty is. Remember: There will be no second chance if you lie on your application. You will be BARRED (BLOCKED) from employment if you are untruthful in your statements (written or verbal). You must answer every question. If the question is not applicable, enter N/A. Do you understand these requirements?

• Yes
• No

02
For the purpose of this Public Safety Application, EVER means at any time in YOUR life. Do you understand this statement?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you understand that you must complete this application yourself and failure to do so will result in your removal from the process?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you understand a complete background investigation will be conducted based on the answers you have provided in this application?

• Yes
• No

05
This position requires you to be 21 years of age (unless Military, Police Explorer or Cadet, Jailer, Deputy, or JROTC/ROTC Cadet) prior to being hired into the position, which may be approximately 6 months from the date of application. Will you be able to meet this age requirement at the time of hire?

• Yes
• No
• No, I am currently 19 1/2 years of age or older and a member of the military.
• No, I am currently 19 1/2 years of age or older and a police explorer from a law enforcement agency.
• No, I am currently 19 ½ years of age or older and a jailer from a law enforcement agency.
• No, I am currently 19 ½ years of age or older and a deputy from a law enforcement agency.
• No, I am currently 19 ½ years of age or older and have two years of experience as a JROTC or ROTC cadet.

06
If "no", what month and year do you turn 21?
07
Do you have a current and valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

08
Are you a US Citizen?

• Yes
• No

09
Have you EVER/AT ANY TIME IN YOUR LIFE used MARIJUANA or HASHISH in any form; including but not limited to products containing THC such as GUMMIES, EDIBLES, VAPES etc.?

• Yes
• No

10
If "yes", how many times? When was your last use? (enter N/A if not applicable)
11
List ALL illegal drug(s) usage OTHER THAN MARIJUANA and the number of times you experimented with each drug(s), and date(s) of last use. If none, enter none.
12
Have you EVER sold, traded or given away illegal drugs?

• Yes
• No

13
If "yes" list type of drug and whether it was sold, traded or given away along with number of times. (enter N/A if not applicable)
14
Have you EVER served in the military?

• Yes
• No

15
What type of discharge did you receive?
16
Have you EVER/ AT ANY TIME IN YOUR LIFE been arrested as a juvenile or adult, regardless of disposition including expungements. ALL prior arrests MUST be disclosed for public safety employment regardless of