With just under a year until the world turns its eyes to Atlanta for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the city has launched a bold police recruitment initiative to address critical staffing shortfalls and prepare for the security demands of one of the most significant international sporting events since the 1996 Olympics.
The Atlanta Police Foundation is offering a $10,000 signing bonus to experienced officers who join the Atlanta Police Department (APD) through lateral transfer. The incentive is part of the city’s “Build the Force” campaign, a multifaceted effort to expand APD’s ranks to 2,050 sworn officers.
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As of May 2025, APD reported 1,759 sworn officers—its highest staffing level in four years, but still well below the department’s operational goals. Police Chief Darin Schierbaum emphasized the urgency of bolstering the force in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which will see eight matches hosted at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including a high-stakes semifinal.
“Our special events division has been activated, starting to make all the plans necessary,”
Schierbaum said.
“We need to ensure all neighborhoods continue to receive police service, even while we protect this major international event.”
The recruitment drive also comes amid a deepening fiscal strain on city resources. Atlanta’s fiscal year 2025 budget showed a $33 million deficit, with police overtime costs accounting for over half. In January 2025 alone, snow emergencies drove APD overtime spending to $2.2 million.
To address long-term staffing and short-term budget woes, city officials and the Atlanta Police Foundation invest in lateral officers—certified professionals who can contribute immediately without extensive retraining. APF President and CEO Dave Wilkinson called the effort “an investment in readiness.”
“We are investing in experience,”
Wilkinson said.
“This bonus is our way of saying that if you’re ready to serve Atlanta, we’re ready to support you.”
The Build the Force initiative includes additional benefits like housing assistance, childcare incentives, mental wellness programs, life insurance, and scholarships for continuing education.
Atlanta will host eight FIFA matches over 39 days from June 11 to July 19, 2026, anticipating 300,000 unique visitors and upwards of $1 billion in economic impact. The APD’s special events division, led by Deputy Chief Charles Hampton, has studied international best practices, including site visits to England and Germany.
“This is something that no one in the history of the police department has planned for outside of the Olympics,”
Hampton said.
“We’re looking at this as a marathon, not a sprint.”
Security measures will include mounted patrols, plain-clothes officers, and drone surveillance. APD will also coordinate with federal and state agencies to ensure a seamless operation spans game days and public celebrations.
Atlanta’s recruitment efforts mirror a broader national struggle to hire and retain police officers. Recognizing the World Cup’s importance, the Georgia state government has earmarked $25 million in security support, while Atlanta has increased its police operating budget to $361 million for FY2026—a 15% jump from the previous year.
Applications for lateral officers are currently open at JoinAtlantaPD.org. The organization targets candidates who can fast-track into active duty before the tournament begins.
