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Police chief urges $2.6M for vehicles and pay incentives to retain officers
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Summary
Chief Roberts told the county he needs $2.6 million for vehicle replacements, incentive pay tied to certifications and continued funding for medical and safety supplies, arguing those investments are essential to maintain recent reductions in vacancies and to keep trained officers.
Clayton County Police Chief Roberts asked the board for funding to replenish the department’s fleet and to support recruitment and retention measures.
"A vehicle right now in law enforcement goes hand in hand with a gun and a computer and other resources that our officers need daily to do their jobs," Chief Roberts said, describing a $2.6 million vehicle request and a proposal to base certain incentives on professional certifications and advanced degrees to keep officers from leaving for higher-paying neighboring agencies. He said the department’s vacancies have fallen to about 10 officers but cautioned that without competitive equipment and compensation that progress could reverse.
Roberts also urged reconsideration of a proposed reduction in medical and safety supplies — used in part for animal control operations — saying that a temporary dip in usage (when one shelter facility was closed for repairs) should not drive longer-term cuts. The department and finance staff discussed computer equipment replacement, training budgets and the availability of $3.5 million in SPLOST fleet funding administered separately by the fleet team.
