police officer

staff accountant

philanthropy manager

graphic design intern

event coordinator

ATLANTA POLICE DEPARTMENT

Despite all the p.r. APD has their recruiting unit spread, there is no denying this is a miserable place to work. Management works to advance its on goals, employees be damned. Lack of communication is rampant throughout the organization, it is common practice to hear information through the grape vine or local news rather than superiors. In fighting is used to control employees, keeping civilians fighting against sworn, officers against Sargent and so on. Discipline is only handed out to those that bring outside scrutiny. As long as bad behavior goes unnoticed outside the units or department as a whole. When disciplinary action is taken it is spread evenly amongst the innocent and guilty. As anyone can image this is a great moral builder. Do not expected good work to go unpunished, for those that excel in their job function their is no promotion. Employees that are considered assets are kept on a short leash and blocked from promotion. Those that excel at doing lack luster work or shriek their duties can expect promotion up the ranks. Expected to have another job to make ends meet,most employees work "extra jobs " simply out of necessity. Base pay is quickly chipped away by inflated pension contributions 14%+, healthcare expense 50% contribution, and your regular federal taxes. We do not contribute to social security. If you come here to work except to spend more time in uniform and away from your family and friends than any other department. APD considers not the life nor health mental or physical, nor does it value its employees. As our current mayor has said on air police employees are replaceable in this economic climate.

Working for Atlanta PD communications (E911) has by far been the worst job experience I have ever had. The work culture is extremely toxic. You are constantly micromanaged. The turnover is high, so staffing level is often critically low, which in turn makes for a heavier workload. The department is on 8 hour shifts with the same days off during the week. Weekend off days are reserved for those with seniority. So, if you are new do not expect to have a weekend off for several years (if you can even tolerate it that long). You have to fight for time off. You are overworked and underpaid. The insurance and other benefits are subpar. Management is corrupt on all levels. They violate their own SOP (standard operating procedures) and when brought up the chain, nothing is done. They will violate federal laws like HIPPA and again nothing is done about it. There are people who work there that will make you question their requirements for hire. The level of incompetence is astonishing. However, this is not limited to communications, the entire department is corrupt— a sinking ship. The field alone can be extremely stressful, so to add all the extras will have you on the brink of a mental health crisis. Communications (E911) is simply a cancer. Save yourself the headache!!

If you are looking to get your foot in the door as a law enforcement officer Atlanta Police department is a great place to start. However there is no long term incentive to staying until retirement. The pay is poor, the pension is insufficient, and the work conditions are unsatisfactory. The department suffers from a high attrition rate due to the issues mentioned. They know why people are leaving and make very little effort to implement changes. They need people so bad they hire just about anyone, no longer are they hiring quality officers and its very obvious. You work with people who essentially never wanted to be a police officer they simply needed a job. That has a negative effect on the work environment and culture. In addition be prepared to drive patrol cars that have well over 100,000 miles, that have been in multiple wrecks, that dont have working equipment, that wouldnt pass a state inspection. The department is at least 5 years behind technology wise. 

Only consider this department as a stepping stone for other career opportunities.

To summarize working in this department you are an overworked machine. Upper management looks only for stats and quotas (tickets) to impress cobra meetings. Everyone in management is for themselves always trying to cover themselves some being written up by their supervisors. This is the largest police department in Georgia but underpaid by far. Patrol cars are out dated many with no working computers and many without even a computer inside. The city shop doesn’t repair cars in a timely manner they could care less if there is enough cars on the streets. Many officers leave within 2 years because of management and broken promises. Just a heads up you will not get a take home vehicle as told in the advertisement for recruiting they are saying 3 years of service or more which is a lie many officers been on for 10 years still don’t have a take home vehicle. Some days they project time so some hours you won’t get paid for. I could say more but it would be a whole book worth of issues within the department. 

A typical day at work requires me to answer calls and connect the citizens to the appropriate agency. Some days are more challenging than some but it teaches me to appreciate everything that life has to offer.

One thing I can say is that I know how my day will start but never know how it will end. I have an opportunity to learn new things each day but the most valuable lesson is knowing that I have an important role to play for the citizens, my coworkers and most importantly, the officers.

My coworkers are great and we all depend on each other for our time to go by. We laugh and share personal stories and it allows us to build a bond and support each other during the difficult times.

The hardest part of the job for me is not being able to detach from the calls you hear.

The most enjoyable part of the job is getting the appropriate agencies on the phone in a timely manner to assist the citizens to keep them alive. Knowing that I did my best and ensuring that officers make it home safely to their families gives me a sigh of relief is very much enjoyable.

Exciting job responsibilities with lower than expected Management Supervision/Abilities/Respect.  I have been in the workforce for 30+ years; and understand that jobs have things to deal with and I have never been so stressed as well as other co workers being stressed as well.  Persons of over 15+ years leaving for comfort within management.

I am a hard worker that excels and strives for company policies and procedures and new ways that come forth.  Willing and accepting for changes.  

I work extremely hard for the companies I have worked for and can walk back to any one of those positions if they were available.  I have commitments to the companies I have worked for and you will noticed in my resume that I can longevity on the job.

I may not hold a college degree but I have 30+ years of experience, learn systems and programs and jobs with ease and quickness.  I am a team builder and work well with others and do the same work in a single situation as well.

Checking time clock inclusions from the previous day and compiling the time for 10 employees; assigning special details to employees; review daily activity sheets, meet with various commanders regarding hot spots in their areas, develop crime prevention strategies, materials or presentations, as well as reactive strategies for problem areas; meet with staff, community leaders, etc. to discuss problems, successes, activities; plan special project.

As a manager, I learned how to interact effectively with internal and external customers and how to multi task.

The hardest part of my job was 'selling' the idea of crime prevention to citizens and keep them excited about making a difference in their communities.

I enjoyed the challenge of training staff with new information and ideas, as well as grooming several of them for supervisory roles.

A typical day at work. At the beginning of my shift I head to my assigned patrol car and inspects it for function of all regular and special equipment (headlights, turn signals, emergency lights, siren, etc.) and to replace any missing supplies from the usual complement of first aid kits, road flares, crime scene tape, fire extinguisher, etc. I radio to report I am ready for "in service" to the dispatcher and begins my patrol. 
At some point, the dispatcher will notify me for service, either by voice radio or by sending the call in text to my patrol car computer. Calls for service can be just about anything: domestic quarrels, thefts from a business or home, burglary, a vehicle accident, or just a citizen with a question or concern. At the end of the shift, I returns to the station, refuels the patrol car, and turns in any outstanding paperwork before going home.

A typical day at work will include daily interactions with different citizens. Each encounter is a opportunity to learn about ones environment and ones response to adversity or fortune. The management is starting to get younger and more opportunities to learn more become available as well. The people I work around are courageous and are willing to help the fellow man or woman next to them. One of the hardest things of this job would be listening to and seeing many hardships of citizens. On the other hand, an enjoyable part of my job is actually being able to help citizens with issues, returning property to the rightful owner and educating the youth and trying to lead them in the right direction.

The City of Atlanta is a thriving city, but the city does not care about the fact that you cannot afford simple life style. The City has not given first responder a raise in OVER 10 YEARS! They want Officers to work hard and not get any pay raises. Working for the city for 5 years and I have gotten a TWO thousand dollar raise and the cost of health care insurance always goes up. I made more money as a recruit for this city then I do now working as an Officer with five years on the department. This is absolutely unacceptable! The City counsel gives themselves a 50% raise where as we get the typical 1-3% cost of living adjustment. I would only work for this department if and only if i am dead.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Police officer 8 salaries reported	$61,792 per year
Staff accountant 1 salary reported	$65,000 per year
Philanthropy manager 1 salary reported	$80,000 per year
Graphic design intern 1 salary reported	$16.50 per hour
Event coordinator 1 salary reported	$52,000 per year

Working at City Of Atlanta Police Department: Company Overview and Reviews

City Of Atlanta Police Department

City Of Atlanta Police Department Ratings

Popular jobs at City Of Atlanta Police Department

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected