Certification Requirements

Hello, just wanted to ask if anyone has knowledge about the state of GA recognizing FL law enforcement certification. I am looking to relocate to GA and apply with some L/E agencies. Any information or contact name would be greatly appreciated. L-Man

You need to submit a training equivalancy comparison to Lois Mitchell at GA POST. She will determine if you meet the abbreviated training requirements (200 hours).

Most smaller or mid-size agencies will accept the 200 hour abbreviated training. However, bigger agencies in the Metro area, Atlanta, Dekalb, Cobb, Gwinnett have their own academies and require full attendace (400 hours).

Good Luck

Run back to FLA as soon a possible... stay away from Atlanta PD trust me.. been on both sides of the fence and love being in FLA and not the ATL. Go back as fast as you can

Run back to FLA as soon a possible... stay away from Atlanta PD trust me.. been on both sides of the fence and love being in FLA and not the ATL. Go back as fast as you can

what
's up with this please tell????

Stay away from GA. I been to both sides and I am trying to get back to Florida. Florida has the best retirement and pay compared to GA.

They are right. I worked in metro-Atlanta for more than 7 years. I'm now in Florida. Georgia law enforcement sucks.

Pay is low, training is two decades behind, retirements are AWFUL. A lot of departments are...um..."influenced" a bit too much by outside sources.

On the plus side, more Georgia agencies let you engage in high-speed chases if thats your thing.

Having worked in both states, I can definitely say Florida is much better!

[oldschool]

The full academy is only 400 hours?! In FL the basic academy is something like 800 hours, and some of the schools have bumped it up to almost 900 hours with additional scenario, Homeland Security and Incident Command training....plus a state board exam...

Georgia Law Enforcement generally doesn't get a take home car like a lot of the florida Agencies do but also the cost of living in Atlanta can be much cheaper than florida if you know which surburbs to look at. I personall don't think its that bad and I am thinking of moving back home. For example I found a place in Douglasville out I-20 westbound for 895.00 a month on almost an acre land. The house to pruchase would be 128,700. I know in Fulton County the dispatchers alone make 31000 starting out thats much more than I make with FHP here. I think if you guys shop around you could find an agency in Georgia as well as living arrangements that are adequate. What I have noticed is Florida is expensive and the pay here never seems to catch up. You must go and check things out for yourself my cousin is a homicide detective with APD and has been there for years.

Georgia Law Enforcement generally doesn't get a take home car like a lot of the florida Agencies do but also the cost of living in Atlanta can be much cheaper than florida if you know which surburbs to look at. I personall don't think its that bad and I am thinking of moving back home. For example I found a place in Douglasville out I-20 westbound for 895.00 a month on almost an acre land. The house to pruchase would be 128,700. I know in Fulton County the dispatchers alone make 31000 starting out thats much more than I make with FHP here. I think if you guys shop around you could find an agency in Georgia as well as living arrangements that are adequate. What I have noticed is Florida is expensive and the pay here never seems to catch up. You must go and check things out for yourself my cousin is a homicide detective with APD and has been there for years.

I feel bad that you guys in FHP don't get paid more. I worked a municipality and enjoyed it in FL. I also had looked into GA, but the base of low 30's just isn't right not in this day and age for law enforcement. I didn't even look at the retirement so I can't say anything abou that. If the money were better and a solid retirement package I'd love to look into the Savannah area. Either way, stay safe everyone.

I AM A FORMER APD GUY NOW WORKING FOR A FLORIDA DEPT. I HAVE NOOOO REGRETS WITH LEAVING APD,, ZONE 3 REPRESENT... I SUGGEST YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU GO. FIRST OFF DO NOT WORK FOR ANY AGENCY IN FULTON,DEKALB OR CLAYTON COUNTIES WITH ONLY A FEW EXCEPTIONS. SANDY SPRINGS PD IN FULTON IS A NEW SMALLER CITY THAT PAYS RATHER WELL. IT IS RUN BY A FORMER DEKALB CAPT TURNED CHIEF OF MARTA PD TO SANDY SPRINGS. I HAVE A FEW FRIENDS THAT WORK THEIR AND SAY ITS A PRETTY GOOD PLACE TO WORK. AND THEY DO ACCEPT FLA CERTS FOR THIS DEPT. YOU WILL HAVE TO GOTO FULTON ACADEMY DOWN IN EAST POINT TO DO YOUR HIGH LIABILITY STUFF BUT ITS NOT BAD. AGENCIES IN COBB COUNTY ARE PRETTY GOOD. COBB CNT PD IS GOOD BUT THEY HAVE THEIR OWN ACADEMY. ALL I CAN SAY IS DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU GO UP THERE. LAW ENFORCEMENT IS MUCH DIFFERENT IN GEORGIA. THEIR SYSTEM OF DOING THINGS WILL DRIVE YOU NUTS. MOST THINGS THEY DO "LIKE HAVING TO TAKE OUT A WARRANT ON EVERY ARREST" ETC... WILL NOT MAKE ANY SENSE COMING FROM FLA WHERE ALL U DO IS COMPLETE AN ARREST AFFIDAVITT AND YOUR DONE WITH IT UNLESS IT GOES TO TRIAL. I CANT SAY IT ENOUGH DO YOUR HOMEWORK OR YOU'LL REGRET IT..
GOOD LUCK.........YOU'LL NEED IT