Cobb County; salaries of chief deputy sheriff, assistant chief deputy sheriff, and executive assistant to the sheriff shall be determined by the sheriff; provide

New pay rules for Cobb sheriff staff

The law replaces fee-based pay with county-funded salaries for certain Cobb County sheriff staff. The sheriff sets salaries for the chief deputy, assistant chief deputy, and executive assistant, paid in equal monthly installments. Salary increases require approval from both the sheriff and Cobb County Board of Commissioners. Chief deputies, assistant chief deputies, deputies, and executive assistants are entitled to county-approved cost-of-living or merit raises. The law sets no salary amounts for the three senior positions. The sheriff names the chief deputy when taking office. The chief deputy must meet the sheriff's qualifications and serves at the sheriff's pleasure. If the sheriff's office becomes vacant, the chief deputy takes the oath and performs the sheriff's duties until the next general election. The law creates assistant chief deputy and executive assistant positions. Both are appointed and directly supervised by the sheriff and serve at the sheriff's pleasure. The assistant chief deputy needs a high school education or equivalent, plus one of five qualifications: FBI National Academy for Peace Officers completion; 10 years of actual peace officer experience; a Georgia-accredited law school degree; Southern Police Institute School of Police Management and Administration graduation; or an accredited college or university master's degree. The sheriff sets the executive assistant's qualifications. Additional deputies need county governing authority approval, with county-set salaries of at least $4,880 per year each. The sheriff can hire needed clerical staff, but the county governing authority must approve their number and pay.