The 100th class of the Gwinnett County Police Academy has begun.
The police department has welcomed its largest-ever academy class of 50 recruits, it said Monday. Classes have typically been between 20 and 30 people, but the department’s “need to fill vacancies” has led it to increase class sizes, according to a department release.
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The department currently has 77 vacant police officer positions, nearly 10 percent of its authorized strength, the release said. The 99th academy graduated on Jan. 4, adding 20 new officers to the department.
The department is still hiring for police officer positions. All candidates must undergo a physical evaluation and background check, and the hiring process is typically complete within 90 days.
Pay starts at $37,156 for candidates without a bachelor’s degree and $39,385 for those with a bachelor’s degree.
After one year, officers without a bachelor’s degree receive a pay increase to $41,538, and those with a bachelor’s degree receive an increase to $44,030. Within three years, officers without degrees can be paid $47,623, and those with degrees can be paid $50,480 if they complete additional training. Officers can also apply for specialized units, including SWAT and detective positions, within two years.
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