Salaries for Dunwoody Police have increased six times since 2021 to remain competitive in recruiting and retaining top talent.
Dunwoody, GA – July 25, 2023 – The Dunwoody City Council voted Monday night to approve a mid-year pay increase averaging 10 percent for police officers, detectives, sergeants, and lieutenants. This raise, which will go into effect on August 1, is in addition to a 4 percent increase at the start of the year. Since 2021, the City of Dunwoody has adjusted pay for police six separate times. As a result, officers and detectives have seen pay increases of 38.9 percent.
“The City has regularly reviewed the compensation of public safety and other staff to recruit and retain top talent for our community,” said Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton. “This increase is significant. It reflects our commitment to public safety and keeping Dunwoody competitive in a challenging environment.”
The starting pay for a police officer with a high school degree and no public safety experience at the end of 2020 was $44,567. The city has increased that starting pay to $56,970, effective August 2023. The starting pay for a police officer with a bachelor’s degree and five years of public safety experience at the end of 2020 was $49,794. The city has increased that starting pay to $68,544, effective August 2023.
In addition to competitive pay, the Dunwoody Police Department offers a competitive package of benefits that includes the following:
- Take-home vehicle program
- $10,000 signing bonus
- $800 a month housing stipend for living in the city limits
- 100% city-paid employee medical coverage starting on the first day of work
- 90% city-paid family medical coverage starting on the first day of work
- Employer retirement contribution up to 21.2%
- 100% city-paid life insurance, AD&D, and short and long-term disability insurance
- Up to $4,000 tuition assistance annually
- Free fitness center membership
- 15 paid holidays
- $2,500 in additional pay for SWAT operators
- $4,000 per year bonus for CID/K-9/Crime Response Team/Community Outreach
- $200 longevity pay per year of service starting after 5 years
- Paid monthly POAB (Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund of Georgia) dues for officers
The salary package approved by Council also adjusted the pay for other city personnel by 4 percent. Pay increases for the City’s non-police positions have been slightly behind inflation since 2021. This adjustment moves that compensation slightly ahead of inflation.