Hartwell PD believes take-home cars necessary for retention and recruitment

Assistant Police Chief Stan Sayers provided council members with a PowerPoint presentation concerning the need for a take-home car program in the department. According to Sayers, a take-home car is one of the first questions asked by those considering a job with the Hartwell Police Department.

Sayers said the nation has a difficult time retaining and recruiting quality officers and Hartwell’s department is not exempt.

“Here in Hartwell we’re no exception. Between 2007-2017, which is 10 years, we’ve had 26 officers leave their police officer position. Of those, 18 never returned to police officer duties. That also encompasses retirement, resignation, resignation in lieu of termination and termination. Also, 13 officers work for more than one agency. Three officers left and returned and two are still with us today,” said Sayers.

Sayers said the Hartwell Police Department is the only agency in this are where there is no take-home car program. This includes both county and municipal agencies.

“Every department in our circuit has take-home cars for their officers. Hart County has take-home cars. Oglethorpe has take-home cars. Oglethorpe services the county. Oglethorpe does not have any municipal agencies. Royston, Lavonia, Elberton, Danielsville,” said Sayers.

The assistant chief then outlined the cost of training one officer and compared that to the cost of one police cruiser, which is roughly $33,000.

“Currently the police academy is 11 weeks. It’s about to be 15 weeks. Tuition, fees and miscellaneous fees will come up to $10,000. Miscellaneous fees is what we spent on the last officer who went to Forsyth. That’s where these numbers come from. We spent $10,477. Then we have equipment and uniforms. That’s another $4,000. Of that, $500 we will never recoup because that’s just for cadet uniforms. So, that brings us up to $14,767. Salary and benefits while they’re going to school, that’s another $10,482, and that’s under the old insurance costs. That’s benefits. That’s holidays, everything that comes with it. That brings us up to $25,000. Then you’ve got field training, which is 13 weeks, which is apprenticeship training with a seasoned officer so that they understand what they’re doing out there on the road. That’s part two of their training. So, you’ve got two officers, so that’s another $16,000. That brings the total up to $42,000. That’s what your spending before that officer is ready to go out there on the road and become a police officer,” said Sayers.

Sayers said the figures did not include specialized training such as radar, DUI, domestic disputes, firearms or driving.

The department asked to begin the program with supervisors and SWAT team members.

Council members approved the request with an unanimous vote.