Below are some answers to questions people might have about the Milton Police Department and its officers. If you have additional questions, please email them to us at pdinfo@miltonga.gov.

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What types of tests do Milton Police Officers undergo before they are hired?

Those applying to be a Police Officer in the City of Milton go through an extensive, exhaustive hiring process. This includes the following:

• Written test
• Physical agility test
• Panel interview
• Chief’s interview
• Thorough background investigation
• Polygraph examination
• Psychological test with a Licensed Psychologist (written and oral)

We have found these tests to be very accurate and effective, and we rely on the results heavily to inform our hiring decisions.

Is there a regular review process for continued employment as a Milton Police Officer?

Yes. 

All officers in the State of Georgia are required to go through the police academy where they undergo physical tests as well as classroom training guiding them to be well informed, responsible, capable officers. Their learning activities, as well as their proficiency in those, are thoroughly documented.

Beyond that, all sworn police employees in Milton –  no matter their experience level – must successfully complete a separate, rigorous field training program specific to the city. Once the officer is released from field training, he or she then has a probationary period – basically, a stretch of time that further helps us determine if they’re a good fit for the Milton Police. After this probationary period ends, the officer has an annual review ­(a process that continues, once a year, for however long he or she belongs to the department). 

If an officer does not meet certain thresholds, he or she goes through retraining in any deficient areas. During this time of retraining, the officer is considered under what's called a “performance probation.” If the officer doesn’t meet minimum guidelines after such retraining, he or she is let go from the Department. It’s important to have a framework for under performance on various fronts. However, in recent history the Milton Police Department has not released a non-probationary officer because of performance issues.

Why? We believe the key is the hiring process. We work to find officers who meet our very high standards and are a good fit for the policing profession both technically and in terms of their dispositions. Nothing in the above policies precludes the Department from placing an employee on performance probation at any time.   

How are officers supervised throughout their shifts?

All patrol officers have GPS tracking technology within their vehicles. Supervisors and other officers are able to see each other's locations throughout the shift. And, officers work off one main dispatch channel, so supervisors can monitor each incoming call to help ensure a proper response. Supervisors and command level staff also routinely review officers’ video and make training recommendations. 

We also depend on citizens to inform us of any activity they feel is not appropriate. The MPD accepts citizen concerns from any source and investigates complaints fully. We are a very responsive department and have a very high expectation for our officers’ conduct. If you have further questions regarding our internal affairs process, please call 678-242-2570 or email pdinfo@miltonga.gov.

Do Milton Police Officers wear body-worn cameras?

Yes. 

Officers are equipped with body-worn cameras, which are extremely useful for training and internal investigations. This technology also helps foster trust and legitimacy within the community. 

The Department implemented its body-worn camera program last year, and now each patrol officer has this technology. And while many departments decide to do away with dash cameras once body-worn cameras are implemented, it was decided to keep both technologies to provide maximum benefit. But as important as the technology itself is, it is simply not as effective as possible without a sound policy to guide officers in its use, specifically defining when and how the technology will be utilized. Our body-worn camera (BWC) policy is based off one crafted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). So far, the technology – both body-worn and dash-camera systems – have worked well in Milton. 

Do Milton Police Officers undergo de-escalation training?

Yes.

Milton officers receive training in the academy in de-escalation tactics and techniques that are designed to help diffuse situations that have become confrontational. Officers are also trained to effectively work with people who may be agitated.  Additionally, all sworn officers are required to take yearly refresher courses in classes such as “Fostering Positive Community Relations,” “Cultural Awareness,” and “Procedural Justice.” One of the courses that we find most helpful is “Crisis Intervention Training,” or CIT.  CIT provides officers with more advanced de-escalation skills that are specific to working with folks experiencing episodes related to mental illness.  This outstanding national training was developed in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness. 

In addition, the MPD has technology called an “Early Intervention System.” This software sends an automated warning to appropriate supervisory personnel if an officer meets certain thresholds in uses of force, complaints, or pursuits. Milton has not had an officer meet the threshold that would prompt a warning.   

Do Milton Police officers use chokeholds?

No.

The Milton Police Department’s “use-of-force” policy states: “Neck restraints or chokeholds are not an authorized force option.” In other words, officers cannot use chokeholds or neck restraints to subdue or restrain someone.

If a Milton Police officer sees one of his colleagues violating the Department’s policies or the law, does he and she have to report them?

Yes.

According to the Department policies, any employee who gets a complaint or witnesses “a violation of the Rules of Conduct” is obliged to “notify a supervisor as soon as practical.” Not reporting such violations of laws, regulations, policies or procedures is prohibited.

Furthermore, a Milton law enforcement officer has a duty to intervene if the officer “believes that a manifest injustice would result from failure to take immediate action.”

Do Milton Police Officers receive any training regarding implicit bias?

Yes.

Our main training related to implicit bias is a State of Georgia course entitled “Cultural Awareness.” In the course, officers explore how their personal background and experience influences how they relate to others, with the goal of maintaining trust and respect between the public and the law enforcement community. Topics in this course include prejudice, bias, and personal experience; in-groups and out-groups; explicit and implicit bias; “System 1” (fast and instinctive) and “System 2” (slower and more deliberate) thinking; and utilizing cultural awareness to establish police legitimacy and procedural justice.  

What specific training do Milton Police Officers get about appropriate use of force?

Officers in the academy are provided with extensive use-of-force and de-escalation training. In order to maintain police certification, all officers in the State of Georgia are required to take annual use-of-force and de-escalation training. The goal is to not only teach and refresh officers on the legalities of use of force and the appropriate Constitutional guidelines, but to also to train them on ways to avoid the use of force through de-escalation techniques, when possible.    

Policing is a stressful career. Officers see a lot of tragedy on a regular basis. What resources are available to police officers to help manage stress, depression or other such issues they may be experiencing?

Each employee has access to confidential mental health resources at no charge through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). We also have an ongoing proactive initiative in which we have partnered with a nationally known speaker and author behind a program called the “Power of Positive Peace.” Within this program, groups of police employees meet weekly and discuss the curriculum assignments for the week; the program typically runs for approximately six weeks. Part of the program is a pledge from participants to adhere to certain behaviors such as: effective communication by seeking to listen first, searching for common ground with those we serve, practicing active listening, utilizing compassionate communication, utilizing our influence for peace, promptly admitting when we are wrong, and perhaps most importantly, treating everyone with dignity and respect. The idea is that if we intentionally work toward peace, we may best serve our citizens and keep ourselves psychologically healthy. 

How can citizens get involved?

The Milton Police Department welcomes and encourages active engagement from the public, and offers several opportunities for engagement throughout the year. We encourage people to reach out to us with questions or concerns, as well as join us at our community events.

The best way to stay up to date on our Department’s public interactions is to follow our Facebook page.  The Department traditionally hosts many events and classes, including the Citizens’ Police Academy, Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) self-defense classes, “Alive at 25” teen driving courses, as well as occasional public education classes on topics such as fraud prevention and home safety. We are also more than happy to tailor training courses based on community needs. We also regularly host “Coffee with a Cop” events, community wide promotional and swearing-in ceremonies, shredding events, a community fallen officers memorial ceremony, as well as both virtual and in-person town hall events. 

If you are interested in exploring volunteer opportunities or classes, please contact our Community Outreach Officer Logan Pacheco at Logan.Bolen@miltonga.gov. We would love to have you partner with us!