In July of 2008, the citizens of Columbus, GA voted to approve a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) that would allocate a one-cent sales tax to help raise funding for the city's Public Safety Department. 70% of monies raised will go toward hiring 100 new officers for the Columbus Police Department. While funds will not be collected until January 1st, 2009, there is no time to waste in making our city a safer place to live and work.

Housed in a newly constructed 125,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility, the Columbus Police Department is not only among the largest departments in Georgia, supporting 398 sworn officers and 98 civilian employees, but it is also one of the most modern in the region, fully capable of responding to bomb and terrorist threats. We are renowned across the nation for being progressive in our thinking and creative with our tactics, and our officers endeavor to uphold the highest level of professional and ethical law enforcement.

DUTIES
If you are interested in becoming a member our team and enjoying the benefits of a gratifying career in Public Safety, we encourage you to join the Columbus Police Department. Should you feel the need to heed the call to civic duty, you will be rewarded justly:


REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE
To be considered for employment, applicants are obliged to fulfill the following requirements:

• Knowledge of modern principles, practices, and procedures of law enforcement
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and administrative policies
• Knowledge of department rules and regulations
• Knowledge of the layout of the city
• Knowledge of defensive tactics and the use of force
• Skill in use of specialized weapons, equipment, and tools relevant to the functions of the position including pistol, shotgun, ASP baton, pepper spray, pepper ball gun, and less lethal munitions
• Skill in high-speed or defensive driving
• Skill in the operation of standard office equipment
• Skill in the operation of computers and various software programs

SUPERVISORY CONTROL
The Police Lieutenant, the Police Captain, or the Police Sergeant assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the final results.

SCOPE AND EFFECT
The purpose of this position is to enforce federal, state, and local laws. Successful performance helps ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the police department and provides increased public safety for citizens and businesses of the city.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, running, walking, bending, or crouching. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects, climbs ladders, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, and distinguishes between shades of color. Pursuit situations may require significant physical agility and exposure to violence or injury.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work is typically performed in a patrol car or other vehicle, office, library, computer room, or outdoors where the employee may be exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, contagious or infectious diseases, irritating chemicals, cold or inclement weather, and dangerous situations requiring the use of physical force and sometimes the use of firearms and other weapons. The work requires the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, or gloves.

PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST

• Each applicant must pass a physical agility test and the state-mandated entrance exam. The Department will conduct a background investigation. Each recruit must pass all courses and training required by the State of Georgia.
• The physical agility test involves push-ups, sit-ups, an obstacle course and a one-mile run. The physical agility test is graded by age and sex. Click here for a complete breakdown of the physical agility requirements.
• Download the Physical Agility Requirements
• Download the Obstacle Course Requirements

Above requirements are in Acrobat .pdf format.

Fulfilling these requirements, and pending a thorough background check, a polygraph test and a psychological exam, the recruit will be interviewed by the Command Staff of the Department. Should the enrollee pass all classes required by the State of Georgia by maintaining a minimum academic score of 80%, they are ready to assume the position of protector, enforcer, and community leader. Those applicants successfully passing all phases of the selection process to include the final interview will be required to attend the state mandated Police Academy. Graduates of the academy are ready to assume the position of protector, enforcer, and community leader.

This job is not for everyone. Wear the badge. Earn the pride. Together we can keep our city safe.

Have questions or concerns?
Contact one of the following recruitment officers:

Paulette Teachey, PTeachey@columbusga.org
David Hall, DavidHall@columbusga.org