DeKalb County invests $10.43M to offer top police salaries in metro Atlanta

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson announced a $10.43 million initiative to enhance police recruitment and retention, positioning the department to become among the highest-paid law enforcement agencies in metro Atlanta.

This investment, fully funded through a strategic reallocation of existing resources, strengthens DeKalb County’s law enforcement workforce without additional taxpayer costs.

“Public safety is a priority, and our budget should reflect that,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “This plan allows us to invest in our officers in a fiscally responsible way by making better use of existing resources. We are not raising taxes—we are simply ensuring our budget aligns with the needs of our community.”

Unincorporated DeKalb County, home to over 426,000 residents, currently has 841 funded sworn positions, but only 531 are filled—falling short of national staffing recommendations.

Competing jurisdictions have attracted officers with higher salaries and better benefits, making recruitment and retention a critical challenge. This initiative aims to reverse that trend by offering competitive compensation and incentives, making DeKalb a top destination for law enforcement careers.

Comprehensive Plan for Recruitment and Retention

CEO Cochran-Johnson’s plan includes targeted salary increases, expanded benefits, hiring incentives, and long-term investments to make DeKalb County one of the most attractive and highest paid law enforcement employers in Georgia.

Salary Increases

• 7.1% salary increase for Police Majors and Captains
• New hiring rates and incentives for Police Officers at all levels
• Total investment: $6.5 million
• Master Police Officer $75,000 minimum
• Senior Police Officer $70,000 minimum
• Police Officer and Police Recruit $61,000 hiring rate; with degree $64,050,000 hiring rate

Enhanced Benefits + Incentives

• Holiday pay for sworn officers – $1.85 million annually
• Sick leave compensation program – $418,000 annually
• Housing allowance to assist officers living in DeKalb County – $804,000
• Annuity benefits for officers – $252,000
• Referral incentives – Up to $10,000 per certified officer recruited

Long-Term Strategic Investments

• Pension Plan Review – External study on pension reform and best practices
• Public Safety Task Force – New task force to oversee recruitment and retention efforts
• Comprehensive Operational Review – Assessment of how to modernize the department for greater efficiency

No Additional Cost to Taxpayers

The total cost of these enhancements is $10.28 million, but CEO Cochran-Johnson emphasized that this investment is fully covered through the reallocation of existing funds previously allocated to triple overtime. By prioritizing public safety within the current budget, the county is able to strengthen its police force without increasing taxes for residents.

“We are taking a responsible and proactive approach to ensure our community is protected,” said Cochran-Johnson. “By making better use of our current budget, we can improve public safety, enhance officer recruitment, and retain the dedicated professionals who serve DeKalb County—without passing any additional costs to taxpayers.