Grovetown, Ga. – The Grovetown City Council has passed a resolution urging state lawmakers to establish a statewide retirement system for Georgia law enforcement officers. The motion, introduced by Mayor Pro Tem Eric Blair, addresses a significant gap in the state’s current retirement offerings, which are fragmented across various municipalities and county governments.

Blair highlighted the fact that Georgia is one of the few states in the country without a state-level retirement plan for its law enforcement personnel. By comparison, neighboring states such as South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi have had state-backed systems in place for decades. South Carolina established its program in 1952, Alabama in 1945, and Mississippi in 1958.

“South Carolina started theirs in 1952, Alabama in 1945, Mississippi since 1958, and Georgia is one of the few states in the nation that does not have a state retirement plan,” Blair said. “I think our legislation needs to consider that, and that’s the idea behind this resolution.”

Currently, Georgia law enforcement officers face a fragmented system where retirement benefits are tied to specific municipalities or county governments. This creates a lack of portability, meaning officers cannot carry over their years of service if they transition from one department to another, unless both agencies are part of the Georgia Municipal Association. For example, an officer who works for a local department for several years may not be able to count that time if they switch to the Georgia State Patrol or the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

Chief Jamey Kitchens of the Grovetown Police Department explained the challenges this system creates for officers, particularly when they change departments during their careers. “If you have someone who starts at a local department and spends five or six years there, then decides they want to join the State Patrol, those years don’t count toward their new position. They have to start over,” Kitchens said.

This system not only discourages mobility among officers but also exacerbates recruitment and retention challenges. Kitchens emphasized the importance of offering better retirement incentives to attract and retain qualified law enforcement professionals. “The job is incredibly difficult, both physically and mentally, and no one should be expected to give forty years in this profession,” he said. “We need more incentives to bring in new officers and keep the ones we have.”

The resolution passed by the Grovetown City Council will now be presented to state officials as part of a push to implement a statewide retirement plan. The council hopes that the proposal will encourage neighboring counties to join the effort and help ensure that Georgia law enforcement officers have access to a more equitable and portable retirement system.

The initiative reflects broader concerns over the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in Georgia, including high turnover rates, mental health challenges, and the physical toll of the job. The creation of a statewide retirement system would be a step toward addressing these issues and supporting officers who serve in one of the most demanding professions.

Grovetown’s push for a state-level retirement system represents a growing movement to improve conditions for law enforcement personnel across Georgia, with the hope of creating a more sustainable and supportive environment for officers statewide.