Senate Passes Bills to Aid Local Law Enforcement

A new package of bills now going through the Georgia General Assembly are designed to help strengthen support and compensation for Georgia’s local law enforcement officers.

Last week, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Senate Republicans advanced a package of four bills that passed with bi-partisan support.

Senate Bills 366, 367, 368 and 369 follow recommendations made by a special Senate task force appointed by Cagle to investigate and address compensation, benefits, and retention of Georgia’s police, sheriff’s deputies, and jailers.

State Senator John Wilkinson of Toccoa was part of that special task force.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley his department puts a lot of time and money into weeks of training new deputies and jailers and says it’s disheartening when they choose to leave for higher paying jobs elsewhere.

Shirley says his biggest turnover is in the jail.

“Once they become certified and work another four or five months, we lose them (jailers) to other counties who pay $3 to $4 more an hour,” Shirley said. “And you don’t have to drive very far. Jackson County, for instance, is where a lot of them end up.”

As for deputies, the Sheriff says while he doesn’t lose as many as he does jailers, the ones he does lose typically go to the Georgia State Patrol where the pay is much better.

“The State a couple of years ago increased the salaries of State law enforcement and some other state agencies,” he said. “When they did away with the State retirement years ago, with the salary being as low as it is, they could go and make more money. So once that happened, we had our jailers going to the Georgia Department of Corrections and I’ve had a number of deputies leave and go to the Georgia State Patrol.”

According to Shirley, Georgia State Patrol officers start at $46,000 a year whereas the starting salary for new Stephens County Sheriff’s deputies is $29,000 a year.

If passed in the House, SB 366 would require cities and counties to report salaries for local law enforcement officers to the Department of Community Affairs, which will compile the data and will compare regional pay scales to encourage competitive compensation levels.

SB 367 would increase support for families of fallen officers by allowing indemnification funds to be paid to an estate.

SB 368 provides technical assistance to rural police departments and sheriffs’ offices.

And SB 369 would make necessary updates to enhance retirement and disability payments provided through the Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit fund.

Lt. Governor Cagle said state efforts to ensure local law enforcement officers are compensated fairly will continue.

“Today is an important first step for our local law enforcement officers as we work to acknowledge their sacrifices and selfless service to the people of Georgia,” said Lt. Governor Cagle. “We owe our full support to the men and women who keep our communities safe, and that’s why the Senate has advanced a comprehensive set of solutions that will lead to higher salaries and better benefits for local law enforcement officers. I’m proud of the work we have accomplished alongside so many of Georgia’s dedicated officers.”

The bills are now in the State House for consideration, but WNEG News has learned they have not yet been assigned to the House Public Safety Committee.

Terry Norris, Executive Director of the Georgia Sheriff’s Association said it is doubtful they will make it out of committee in the House before the 2018 session ends.