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| | | GORDON (click for larger version) | |
April 16, 2008
NORTH FULTON -- Losing nearly 12 percent of its workforce to Johns Creek hasn't hurt Alpharetta's police force, according to George Gordon, public information officer for the Department of Public Safety.
Sixteen Alpharetta personnel -- including its former police chief -- took jobs with the upstart department.
That was second only to Fulton County, who lost 23 but will be shrinking with less area to cover. Forsyth County was third, with four officers.
Gordon said Alpharetta isn't hurting for quality people.
"Obviously we're going to maintain the best services for our citizens," he said.
Alpharetta employs 115 police officers and 20 civilian positions, including 911 communications, said Gordon.
Gordon said of the 16, there were 14 officers taken and two civilian staff. He said five were seasoned personnel -- four sergeants and one captain.
Gordon said all the ranking positions have been replaced with promotions and six new, fully accredited police officers have been hired so far. The rest should be filled soon, he said, with the department interviewing more than 100 candidates in the last month.
"We have not been hurt at all," said Gordon.
He added Alpharetta doesn't hold any ill will to Johns Creek or its officers who moved.
"They are a sister police agency, a sister city on our eastern border, and we plan on having a great working relationship with them," said Gordon. "We're not going to blame anybody who's trying to better themselves."
Gordon said Alpharetta's "flagship" status as an accredited agency makes its officers a hot commodity to upstart departments. For example, in four years, the city has lost three police captains to other cities -- Ed Densmore in Johns Creek, Chris Lagerbloom in Milton and Jeff McGuire in Jasper, Fla. -- where they became chiefs of police.
He said City Council recently OK'd a beefing up of the city's benefits package and possible pay scales to help keep the staff it has.
Densmore, who came to Johns Creek in November after serving as Alpharetta's chief of police, said officers often make the jump to a new department because it is a one-time shot to move up immediately.
"There are career advancement opportunities here," he said. "All these positions are open for people to apply -- I can put in and interview for a sergeant position or lieutenant position that currently doesn't exist for me."
But, Densmore said, his time in Alpharetta did not mean he was looking for the city's police.
"I wouldn't say I feel more comfortable with an Alpharetta officer versus a Fulton County officer," he said. "People put in and were hired based on their qualifications and experience."
Densmore said his department is "very well satisfied" with how hiring has been going in the department and is looking forward to the three weeks of training planned for the 56 Johns Creek officers in April.
When Johns Creek takes over police service at 12:01 April 27, residents can expect 12 patrol cars answering calls per shift, said Densmore.
Under Fulton County, 31 police officers were assigned to Johns Creek. The department would not officially release the number of cars per shift.
- www.northfulton.com
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