Atlanta Police May See 30 Percent Raise
Atlanta police officers will be getting a raise of nearly 30 percent by July 2021, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced.
Alison Guillory / WABE
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced that city of Atlanta police officers will be getting a raise of nearly 30 percent by July 2021 on Monday.
The Atlanta Police Department, like many police agencies across the country, has struggled with recruiting and keeping its officers.
The move to increase pay, to be closer to the starting salaries offered in nearby cities, was welcomed by APD Chief Erika Shields. She called it an “incredible and historic move.”
Shields says her officers want to work in Atlanta, but don’t want to have to take on extra jobs to afford to live here.
Under the plan, all officers will receive a thirty percent pay increase by July 2021 followed by two-year reviews to keep salaries competitive with nearby municipalities.
City officials say the money will come from cost-savings in other departments.
APD eliminated a category known as “recruit pay.” Starting pay for APD officers will increase about $10,000. It’s now between $40,000 and $42,800, depending on whether a candidate has a bachelor’s degree.
Top Stories
