Are Bibb County Sheriff's Deputies Leaving Macon Because of Low Pay? Here's What We Found Out

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As the Bibb County Sheriff's Office tries to hire and retain deputies, officer pay is a frequently raised issue.

During the May election for Macon-Bibb County Commission, several candidates claimed that Bibb County deputies' salaries were lower than those in neighboring jurisdictions, which was the root of deputies' retention problems.

Public records from local law enforcement agencies show that some offices offer higher starting salaries than the Bibb County Sheriff's Office. However, the records also show that other causes contribute to the departure of Bibb County officers.

How much do sheriff's deputies in Macon get paid?

In Macon-Bibb County’s 2024 fiscal year, which ran from July 2023 to June 2024, a sworn deputy earned $40,812.10 per year. Deputies who were not sworn in earned $36,192.36, according to salary information provided by the county.

According to county records, salaries for higher-ranking officers have increased.

• The sergeants earned $48,501.23

• Lieutenants earned $56,146.23

• Captains won $64,996.28

• Majors won $71,658.40

• An assistant chief earned $87,101.23

The Macon-Bibb County Commission recently approved a pay increase in the fiscal year 2025 budget for first responders, including officers at all levels. The budget officially went into effect Monday and will be in effect through June 2025.

Here are the salary levels in the new budget:

• Unsworn MP: $40,678.56

• Sworn-in MP: $48,946.56

• Sergeant: $51,854.40

• Lieutenant: $60,028.80

• Captain: $67,100.80

• Major: $76,107.20

• Deputy Chief: $102,107.20

Police pay for Warner Robins neighbors

Commission candidates in the May election singled out the Warner Robins Police Department as a destination for law enforcement officers leaving Bibb County in search of higher pay.

While WRPD’s status as a police department changes employee titles, it has a similar hierarchical structure. There are also “levels” within positions that mark a pay increase. A “level” equals one year of service with the department, according to Ken Fennell, employment and benefits manager for the city of Warner Robins. Officers receive a maximum pay increase after 25 “levels,” or years, of service.

The level of a person transferred from another service will be determined by the Chief of Police based on his or her years of service in other services.

• For executives: Level 1 employees earn $52,515.56 per year, Level 12 employees earn $67,078.68, and Level 25 employees earn $89,579.29.

• For detectives: Stage 1 employees earn $55,141.34, Stage 12 employees earn $70,432.61, and Stage 25 employees earn $94,058.26.

• For Sergeants: Level 1 employees earn $60,793.33, Level 12 employees earn $77,651.96, and Level 25 employees earn $103,699.23.

• For lieutenants: Level 1 employees earn $63,832.99, Level 12 employees earn $81,534.55, and Level 25 employees earn $108,884.

• For Captains: Level 1 employees earn $70,375.88, Level 12 employees earn $89,891.85, and Level 25 employees earn $120,044.82.

• For Assistant Managers: Level 1 employees earn $73,894.67, Level 12 employees earn $94,386.44, and Level 25 employees earn $126,047.06.

• For managers: Level 1 employees earn $86,341.82, Level 12 employees earn $110,285.31, and Level 25 employees earn $147,278.99.

Are Sheriff's Deputies Leaving Macon Because of Low Pay?

According to dozens of deputies' resignation letters obtained by The Telegraph through Georgia's open records law, few law enforcement officers leaving their posts actually cited their salary as the reason for leaving the department.

Although Warner Robins Police Department employees earn more money each year, the department's pay scale is much broader. The lowest salary in this range isn't far off the starting salary of a Bibb County Sheriff's deputy, but the highest salaries may require years of service and advancement through the ranks.

Of about 60 resignation letters from Bibb County deputies since 2020, only two mentioned salary as a factor in the officer’s departure. None of those former deputies went to Warner Robins or a neighboring jurisdiction.

According to the letters, the departing officers cited retirement, workplace concerns, career changes, relocation out of state and a desire to spend more time with family.

Additionally, while police departments and sheriff's offices have many similarities, there are also some fundamental differences. Sheriff's offices are responsible for an entire county and often operate jails. The sheriff, who runs the office, is also an elected official, while a police chief is hired by a department or municipality.