---
title: O.C.G.A. § 35-3-11. Applicability of merit system to agents of bureau; retention of badge and weapon by disabled agent.
collection: code
id: 35-3-11
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 35-3-11 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-3-11
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-3-11.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-3-11/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t35-t36-ch1-59-(v27)-2025-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=66569db4_0#page=118
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-3.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-3-10.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/35-3-12.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Session of the General Assembly of Georgia
heading_path: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND AGENCIES / GEORGIA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION / GENERAL PROVISIONS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 35-3-11. Applicability of merit system to agents of bureau; retention of badge and weapon by disabled agent.

(a) All agents of the bureau shall be governed by such rules of position, classification, appointment, promotion, demotion, transfer, dismissal, qualification, compensation, seniority privileges, tenure, and other employment standards as may now or hereafter be established under such merit system controls as may be authorized by Chapter 20 of Title 45.

(b) This Code section shall not apply to narcotics agents as provided for in Code Section 35-3-9.

(c) As used in this subsection, the term “disability” means a disability that prevents an individual from working as a law enforcement officer. When an agent of the bureau leaves the bureau as a result of a disability arising in the line of duty, such agent shall be entitled as part of such agent’s compensation to retain his or her weapon and badge pursuant to regulations promulgated by the director.

## History

Ga. L. 1974, p. 109, § 2; Ga. L. 2004, p. 1058, § 4; Ga. L. 2009, p. 745, § 2/SB 97; Ga. L. 2012, p. 446, § 2-52/HB 642.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 2012, p. 446, § 3-1/HB 642, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: “Personnel, equipment, and facilities that were assigned to the State Personnel Administration as of June 30, 2012, shall be transferred to the Department of Administrative Services on the effective date of this Act.” This Act became effective July 1, 2012.

Ga. L. 2012, p. 446, § 3-2/HB 642, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: “Appropriations for functions which are transferred by this Act may be transferred as provided in Code Section 45-12-90.”