§ 19-13-4.1.“Local law enforcement agency” defined; security checks

Chapter 13. Family Violence · Article 1. Granting of Relief by Superior Courts · Last amended 2021 · Last verified October 9, 2026

In one sentenceO.C.G.A. § 19-13-4.1 lets a Georgia petitioner who has obtained a family violence protective order ask the local police department or sheriff’s office to make periodic security checks around his or her home, at times and intervals the agency chooses.

Full Text of § 19-13-4.1

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b)

(a) As used in this Code section, the term “local law enforcement agency” means county and city:

(1) Police departments; and

(2) Sheriff offices.

(b)

(1) Upon obtaining a protective order under Code Section 19-13-3 or 19-13-4, the petitioner may elect to request periodic security checks from any local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in which the petitioner resides.

(2) Such security checks shall occur at intervals and times in the discretion of the local law enforcement agency and shall continue for the duration of the order or until such request is withdrawn by the petitioner or the local law enforcement agency determines that the petitioner's circumstances no longer appear to require such security checks.

(3) Security checks may include:

(A) Observation of the exterior of the petitioner's residence; and

(B) Officer presence in the vicinity of the petitioner's residence.

(4) If such petitioner elects to request such periodic security checks, the petitioner shall provide to the local law enforcement agency the temporary protective order for photocopying purposes and provide a written request for the law enforcement agency to conduct periodic security checks at the petitioner's residence contained in the protective order for a period of up to 60 days.

End

Plain-English Summary

Added in 2021, this section gives protected people one more layer of safety. After obtaining a protective order under § 19-13-3 or § 19-13-4, the petitioner may ask for periodic security checks from any local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction where the petitioner lives. “Local law enforcement agency” means county and city police departments and sheriff offices. The checks are optional; the petitioner chooses whether to ask.

To ask, the petitioner gives the agency the temporary protective order so it can make a photocopy, along with a written request that the agency conduct periodic security checks at the residence listed in the order for a period of up to 60 days. The agency decides how often and when to make the checks. Checks may include watching the outside of the residence and having officers present in the neighborhood.

Checks continue for the duration of the order, or until the petitioner withdraws the request, or until the agency determines the petitioner’s circumstances no longer appear to require them. Note the two time references: the checks may run for the duration of the order, while the written request asks for checks for a period of up to 60 days. Security checks don’t replace emergency help. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ask the police to check on my house after I get a protective order in Georgia?

Yes. Once you obtain a protective order under § 19-13-3 or § 19-13-4, you may request periodic security checks from any local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction where you live — a county or city police department or sheriff’s office. The agency decides when and how often to make the checks.

How do I request protective order security checks in Georgia?

Give the local police department or sheriff’s office your temporary protective order so it can make a photocopy, and give it a written request to conduct periodic security checks at the residence listed in the order for a period of up to 60 days. The request is your choice; the statute says the petitioner “may elect” to make it.

What does a protective order security check involve?

The section says security checks may include observation of the exterior of your residence and officer presence in the vicinity of your residence. The agency sets the intervals and times at its discretion. The checks add a law enforcement presence near your home; they are not a substitute for calling 911 in an emergency.

How long do protective order security checks last?

The section says checks continue for the duration of the order, until you withdraw the request, or until the agency determines your circumstances no longer appear to require them. The written request you give the agency asks for checks for a period of up to 60 days. Ask the agency how it handles a request that runs past that period.

Can the police stop doing security checks before my protective order ends?

Yes. The checks end if the local law enforcement agency determines that your circumstances no longer appear to require them. They also end if you withdraw your request. Otherwise they continue for the duration of the order, at intervals and times the agency chooses.

Amendment History

Laws 2021, Act 183, § 1, eff. May 4, 2021.

Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, enacted by the Georgia General Assembly, and checked word for word against the Georgia Code Revision Commission’s public-domain edition and the acts that later amended it. Section headings are the Code’s official catchlines. Last verified October 9, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: protective order security check georgiapolice patrol protective order georgiasheriff security check protective orderhouse checks protective order georgia