24 SB 37/AP
Senate Bill 37
By: Senators Robertson of the 29th, Albers of the 56th, Hatchett of the 50th, Summers of the
13th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd and others
AS PASSED
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 16 of Title 15, Chapter 5 of Title 35 Code Section 40-6-6, and
1
Article 1 of Chapter 4 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to2
general provisions regarding sheriffs, the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, authorized3
emergency vehicles and pursuit of fleeing suspects, and general provisions relative to jails,4
respectively, so as to allow sheriffs to receive certain additional salaries; to provide for5
jurisdiction, powers, and duties for peace officers appointed to the Georgia Public Safety6
Training Center law enforcement unit; to authorize the issuance of motor vehicles, uniforms,7
and weaponry to such peace officers; to prohibit the use of solid, flashing, or revolving blue8
lights by law enforcement officers outside the jurisdiction of his or her agency; to provide9
for exceptions; to provide jailers with arrest powers; to provide for related matters; to repeal10
conflicting laws; and for other purposes.11
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:12
SECTION 1.13
Article 1 of Chapter 16 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to14
general provisions regarding sheriffs, is amended by revising Code Section 15-16-20.1,15
relating to additional salary, as follows:16
"15-16-20.1.17
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In addition to the minimum salary provided in Code Section 15-16-20, the sheriff of any
18
county who performs the duties of a sheriff for a state court, probate court, magistrate19
court, juvenile court, or county recorder's court under any applicable general or local law20
of this state shall receive for his or her services in such court or courts a salary of not less21
than $385.90 per month, to be paid from the funds of the county. A sheriff who serves in22
more than one such court shall receive only one
such salary for up to two courts. Such23
salaries shall not be eligible for increase for any state cost-of-living or general performance24
based increases."25
SECTION 2.26
Chapter 5 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Georgia Public27
Safety Training Center, is amended by revising Code Section 35-5-7, relating to security28
police force for the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, as follows:29
"35-5-7.30
(a) The administrator of the center, with the approval of the board, is authorized to31
establish a security police force law enforcement unit within the Georgia Public Safety32
Training Center. and appoint employees to serve as peace officers who shall be responsible33
for preserving public order, protecting life and property, and preventing crime. Such34
employees shall have been certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training35
Council as having successfully completed the course of training required by Chapter 8 of36
this title, the 'Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Act.'37
(b) While in the performance of their duties on property of the Georgia Public Safety38
Training Center, such security police, such peace officers shall have the same law39
enforcement powers, including the power of arrest, as a any other law enforcement officer40
of the local government with police jurisdiction over such certified pursuant to Chapter 841
of this title, the 'Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Act.' The Georgia Public42
Safety Training Center law enforcement unit shall enforce laws on all properties controlled43
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by the Georgia Public Safety Training Center and enforce state laws and protect life and44
property when ordered by the Governor or requested by a sheriff of a county or police chief45
of a county or municipality in this state. Such officers shall be authorized to possess and46
carry such firearms and other weapons while on duty as may be prescribed by the47
administrator of the center.48
(c) From funds appropriated or available to the Georgia Public Safety Training Center, the49
administrator of the center shall be authorized to provide motor vehicles, uniforms,50
firearms, and any other equipment and supplies to employees of the Georgia Public Safety51
Training Center law enforcement unit necessary to carry out the provisions of this Code52
section.53
(d) This Code section shall not repeal, supersede, alter, or affect the power of any other54
law enforcement officer of this state or of any county, municipality, or other political55
subdivision of this state."56
SECTION 3.57
Article 1 of Chapter 4 of Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to58
general provisions relative to jails, is amended by revising Code Section 42-4-1, relating to59
appointment of county and municipal jailers, as follows:60
"42-4-1.61
(a) By virtue of their offices, sheriffs are jailers of the counties and have the authority to62
appoint other jailers, subject to the supervision of the county governing authority, as63
prescribed by law.64
(b) By virtue of their offices, chiefs of police are the jailers of the municipal corporations65
and have the authority to appoint other jailers, subject to the supervision of the municipal66
governing authority, as prescribed by law. Each jailer of a municipal corporation shall67
maintain the records required of sheriffs by subsection (a) of Code Section 42-4-7.68
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(c) Jailers who have been certified by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training69
Council as having successfully completed the course of training required by Chapter 8 of70
Title 35, the 'Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Act,' shall be authorized to71
arrest any person found to be in violation of a criminal law that occurs within the jail or72
within the perimeter guard lines of such jail established pursuant to subsection (j) of Code73
Section 42-4-13. Jailers shall be further authorized to exercise arrest powers upon any74
person for whom a complaint or arrest warrant is pending who surrenders into custody at75
his or her jail."76
SECTION 4.77
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.78
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