Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective and Current Employees of the Fulton
County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO)
- Applicants must be at least 21 years old by the time of academy graduation.
- There is no maximum age limit.
- Recruits are paid employees upon completing processing and receive the current rate for Sheriff’s Officer Recruits during academy training.
- Classes commence when a sufficient number of recruits are accepted.
- There may be a waiting period of several weeks or months between acceptance and the start of training.
- Typically, there is a two-month interval between class start dates.
- Need-based housing assistance may be available through relevant programs.
- For more information, visit the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office website.
- The FCSO’s officer pay scale is competitive within Georgia and the entire Southeast.
- Officers can qualify for specialized units after three years of employment.
- The FCSO accepts in-state, out-of-state, and qualified military police transfers.
- Interested candidates can apply through the Lateral Transfer Application.
- Applicants must pass a pre-employment Physical Agility Test (PAT) during the initial background process.
- The PAT includes tasks such as running, jumping, climbing stairs, low crawling, and dragging a weight.
- The course measures 870 feet and must be completed within 2 minutes and 6 seconds.
- The academy training lasts 21 weeks.
- After becoming a sworn officer, there is an additional 12 weeks of field training.
- Housing is not provided; recruits attend classes during the day and return home afterward.
- Recruits are responsible for purchasing their physical training gear.
- The FCSO provides the official uniform.
- The FCSO accepts online applications for Sheriff’s Officer Recruit and Lateral positions through their online portal.
- Whether an officer rides alone or with a partner is determined by the division commander based on the division’s needs.
- Promotion to Investigator, Sergeant, or Lieutenant requires passing written and oral exams.
- Higher ranks are appointed by the Sheriff.
- The FCSO encourages officers to pursue higher education.
- While basic law enforcement training is demanding, employees may be eligible for tuition reimbursement if enrolled in an accredited institution.
For additional information, please refer to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office website: fcsoga.org