Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and members of the Compensation of Police and Sheriffs Task Force announced a series of recommendations to strengthen support for local law enforcement officers. Made up of legislative leaders, police officers, sheriffs, city and county officials, Lt. Governor Cagle called on the COPS Task Force to bring forward a plan to increase compensation, benefits, and retention of Georgia’s police officers, deputies, and jailers. After hosting numerous meetings across the state, members approved a set of 17 recommendations.

“When you start each morning putting on a badge, you recommit yourself in service to your fellow Georgians,” said Lt. Governor Cagle. “There are no exceptions – every single community depends on our law enforcement to keep them safe, and in our most vulnerable moments we rely on these men and women. Simply put, these individuals deserve our support. By acting on the recommendations from the COPS Task Force, we will be better positioned to compensate the officers who keep our communities safe.”

“Every day, officers across our state accept each call they receive with humility and a selfless commitment to the communities they serve,” said Peach County Sheriff Terry Deese. “Lt. Governor Cagle should be applauded for his leadership on this issue – and I look forward to the continued work of the COPS Task Force as we unite behind these recommendations and remain engaged until we fully compensate the individuals who put their lives on the line defending their fellow Georgians.”

“I commend our elected leaders for bringing together stakeholders at every level to examine real solutions that address the challenges facing Georgia’s police officers and deputies,” said Clayton County Commission Chairman Jeff Turner. “These common-sense recommendations will go a long way towards rallying all of our state’s communities in support of our law enforcement officers.”

“We could not go forward without the sacrifices that Georgia’s law enforcement officers and first responders make each day,” said Brookhaven Police Chief Gary Yandura. “I’m appreciative of Lt. Governor Cagle and the members of the COPS Taskforce for their commitment to supporting Georgia’s officers wherever they are so that we can maintain the highest standards for training, equipping, and compensating our local law enforcement.”

“It’s safe to say that we all recognize the need to work together to attract and keep good people in this vitally important profession,” added City of Auburn Mayor Linda Blechinger. “By continuing to build upon the recommendations of this Task Force, I’m confident we can close the gap and ensure that Georgia’s officers have the resources, compensation, and respect they deserve.”

Read the report here.