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Support for Statewide Law Enforcement Officer Retirement System

Updated: Apr 6

Physical and social[1] safety were among the earliest reasons people started to come together in groups larger than small clusters of connected families. Many anthropological and historical steps in between, and legal protections for the security of their persons and property are among the primary purposes for which people are willing to relinquish small parts of their natural liberty to governments so that those governments can enforce the law and provide for collective security[2],[3]. As such, maintaining a well-trained cadre of law enforcement officers is among the key duties of legitimately established governments. Today, effective recruitment and maintenance of these important civil servants requires not only promises of proper training and pay appropriate for the significance of roles they perform but also guarantees that they will be financially secure upon their retirement from service. This requires a statewide retirement system for law enforcement officers.

            Every state with which Georgia shares a border has such a system[4] and yet Georgia itself does not. There have been short-lived attempts to create one in the past but they all seem to fail[5], ultimately over the issue of funding. This is unacceptable. If other states can figure out how to sufficiently fund a law enforcement officer retirement program, Georgia can as well. This is an issue where the priority of public safety overrides any priorities of cutting taxes or refusing to raise new ones. Public safety also overrides any ideological preference for local control because fiscal reality dictates that such a program be statewide as many smaller jurisdictions do not have the tax base and resources to fund it for themselves. These law enforcement officials still deserve a secure retirement. Similarly, the citizens of these communities deserve the safety and peace of mind that comes with knowing they will be able to recruit and maintain a sufficient peace officer force.

            Chief Jamey Kitchens of the Grovetown, GA Police Department has recently undertaken the endeavor of bringing this issue to light[6]. His efforts to make the public aware of this matter should be applauded along with the City of Grovetown for its adoption of Resolution 2025-03-01[7] which calls for the creation of a law enforcement officer retirement system. The City of Harlem and the Columbia County Board of Commissioners should pass similar resolutions as a sign of unity and solidarity. All Columbia County jurisdictions should send consistent messages to state officials regarding the need to better support local law enforcement by funding a statewide law enforcement officer retirement system. Furthermore, sitting state House Representatives and Senators representing Columbia County should introduce measures towards the creation of such a system at the earliest opportunity. If they are unwilling to do so, voters must consider whether these individuals truly have the best interests of the community in mind the next time they cast their ballots.

            Recognizing that the details are complex and will take some time to research and plan before implementation, it must be asserted that the concept is simple, it has been achieved successfully elsewhere, and cost is not a valid reason for the state of Georgia to put it off any longer. All candidates for these positions in the future should adopt this cause as a part of their platform until such time as it is adopted and implemented. Finally, citizens should contact their state Representatives and Senators to demand action towards the creation of a statewide law enforcement officer’s retirement system. At its core, this is an issue of public safety and doing right by those who serve to protect Georgia communities.


[1] Slavich, G. M. (2020). Social safety theory: a biologically based evolutionary perspective on life stress, health, and behavior. Annual review of clinical psychology, 16(1), 265-295.

[2] Locke, J. (1821). Two treatises on government. for R. Butler, W. Reid, W. Sharpe, and J. Bumpus.

[3] Rousseau, J. J. (1999). Discourse on the Origin of Inequality. Oxford University Press, USA.





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Local Blue provides these materials for educational purposes only. These are not campaign materials and do not constitute strategic or messaging advice. [Read Full Disclaimer] Policy Research Disclaimer Columbia County’s Local Blue Collaboration (Local Blue) is a 527 political organization dedicated to increasing Democratic engagement and voter participation. The policy research, reports, and materials provided by Local Blue are for informational and educational purposes only. These materials do not constitute campaign strategy, messaging, or political advice for any individual candidate or campaign. Local Blue does not coordinate with candidates or their committees in the development or distribution of policy research. All research and materials are publicly available and intended to inform voters, community members, and potential candidates about key issues affecting Columbia County and Georgia. Candidates and campaigns are responsible for developing their own positions and messaging based on their perspectives and priorities. By accessing and using these materials, individuals acknowledge that Local Blue is not providing direct campaign consultation, strategic advice, or tailored messaging assistance.

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