Employment Opportunity

Police Officer applicants are required to take a standardized test to assess suitability for law enforcement work. Applicants who pass the initial test must complete a detailed supplemental application and take a standardized test to enter the Police Academy. The next stage in seeking employment is interviewing the Chief of Police or designee. Applicants who have a favorable interview are then scheduled for a polygraph exam, followed by a physical agility test and a conditional job offer. A conditional offer of employment is followed by a psychological test, physical exam, drug screen, and final employment offer by the Human Resource Director and City Manager.

Minimum Requirements:

At least 21 years of age
A United States Citizen
No felony convictions, according to O.C.G.A. 35-8-8
No family violence-related convictions, according to O.C.G.A. 19-13-1
At least a minimum of a High School Diploma or GED
A valid Driver's License

Accepted applicants will be required to enter into a training agreement. Georgia POST Certified Law Enforcement Officers are encouraged to apply.

Salary & Benefits Package:

Minimum starting pay is $47,596.48 annually, with incentives. Earn up to $51,596.48 annually based on additional incentives.
- Additional Incentives:
  $1,000 Annually for partial college or partial military
  $2,000 Annually for both partial college and partial military
  $2,000 Annually for full college or military
  $3,000 Annually for a combination of partial military/college and full military/college
  $4,000 Annually for both full military and full college
- Partial college is an Associate's degree, and partial military is two years of military service.
- Full college is a Bachelor's degree, and full military is retirement.
Retirement Plan - 2% for each year of service (higher % than the county and state law enforcement retirement plans)
Low Healthcare Costs with low deductibles and low co-pays
Free Health Care Clinic for employees and dependents covered on health insurance to include no visit co-pay and no cost for prescriptions clinic has in stock.
Take-home vehicle for sworn personnel as well as uniforms and all duty equipment, provided at no cost
Minimum of 24 hours of annual training for sworn personnel - includes annual training and advanced training at outside training institutions.

An employment application may be picked up at the police department front desk, requested by mail, or click here to fill out an online application.

2025 Open Testing Dates:

Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 9AM
Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 6PM
Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 9AM
Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 6PM
Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 9AM
Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 6PM
Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 9AM
Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 6PM
Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 9AM
Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 6PM
Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 9AM
Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 6PM

Testing will be held at the Valdosta Police Department (VPD) or the multipurpose room at the Annex City Hall (300 N Lee St.). Applicants will be allowed entrance 30 minutes before the testing time. Once you have successfully completed the process, VPD will send you to the academy already employed with the City of Valdosta, which means you will be getting paid while attending training. If you are already a Sworn Law Enforcement Officer, you do NOT need to attend the testing; only turn in an employment application.

Applicants taking the test must bring their driver’s license and $15 for the testing fee. The Valdosta Police Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.