Atlanta police offer experienced cops $10K to join force ahead of World Cup
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The Atlanta Police Department hopes a $10,000 bonus will attract more experienced officers to join its ranks as the city prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Why it matters: With Atlanta set to host eight matches next year, the police department will need more men and women on the ground to handle the influx of visitors traveling to the city for the major sporting event.
The latest: The Atlanta Police Foundation, the fundraising arm of the department, is offering the bonuses to certified police officers who join the force as lateral hires – meaning they join APD at the same level they were at their previous employer.
Zoom in: Atlanta police chief Darin Schierbaum told Axios Atlanta last week in an interview that hiring lateral officers means they won't have to go through as much training before they are assigned to precincts.
- The department puts new officers through 40 weeks to training, but for those making lateral moves, they will have eight weeks of training in the academy and up to 12 weeks of field training.
- Schierbaum also said lateral hires are more likely to have been vetted when it comes to their driving skills, judgement and citizen interactions.
- "We're able to put them on the street more quickly, and able to send them to precincts and assignments," he said.
Between the lines: Even with the World Cup fast approaching, Schierbaum said the department will be expected to not only protect people attending the games, but neighborhoods "that will not be hosting the World Cup next year."
- "We have to be capable to the needs that we're called to address," he said. "This is one component of our push to make sure we have officers, wherever we need them, throughout the organization next year."
Context: Schierbaum told Axios many law enforcement agencies, including Atlanta, are rebuilding their ranks after officers left the profession between 2020 and 2022.
- Facing low recruitment numbers and looking to backfill positions that became vacant due to retirements, many departments are aiming for lateral hires to fill open positions.
By the numbers: APD is budgeted for 2,020 sworn officers and have 238 vacancies, Schierbaum said. If the department maintains its current projection, they should be back up to full force by 2027.
- At the direction of Mayor Andre Dickens, the agency (like all city departments) earlier this year made cuts to its operations to help make up a budget shortfall.
- That resulted in the department slashing 66 positions, which is expected to save $5.6 million, according to WSB.
- The department is also working to have 30% of its force to be comprised of women by 2030.
- 40% of current applicants are women, Schierbaum said.
Threat level: Atlanta is competing with other departments that are also struggling to maintain officers, and the bonuses they offer could equal an officer's salary.
- For example, other departments around the country are offering sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $75,000.
- One California police department last year promised an $80,000 bonus for certified officers.
The bottom line: Schierbaum said the Atlanta Police Department is the agency for anyone looking to acquire additional skills.
- "If they believe that there's more that they can give back, if they believe they have more skills that they can provide to a neighborhood ... I would ask them to consider the Atlanta Police Department," he said.