Police Recruitment
Discover why the departments that treat recruiting like marketing are winning — and how to follow their lead
Personnel shortages can have serious consequences – a more agile process can help reduce them
The agencies that invest in recruitment and retention strategies will be the ones that build strong, dedicated teams for the future
City officials cite budget strain and low recruitment as officer ranks fall far short of what’s needed to serve California’s capital
BPD currently has 492 vacancies, but expects about 150 recruits to graduate from its academy by 2026; an expansive ad campaign to recruit officers from within the city is now in effect
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly explains how A&E’s “Booked: First Day In” is helping bust myths, boost morale and bring new recruits through the jailhouse doors
Speaking 52 years after his own graduation, Lexipol co-founder Gordon Graham urged recruits to embrace pride, safety and lifelong professionalism
With proper oversight, training and legal structures, this partnership has the potential to enhance public safety without eroding trust or accountability
Neuroscience, life experience and officer performance suggest it’s time to rethink the minimum hiring age
To handle the extra work, the Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Office plans to put its off-duty employees to work in Arcadia on overtime, which would be paid by the city
The department grew from 560 to 588 officers in spring 2025, the first increase since its ranks dropped by nearly 40% after George Floyd’s death
After 14 months of negotiations, the Pierce County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild says the county has proposed a 10% raise over three years, an offer the union says is “not competitive at all”
Years after appearing in an LVMPD video and overcoming a paralyzing injury, Recruit Seth Hurst has fulfilled his dream of becoming a police officer
House Bill 2015 will set aside funds from the state’s operating budget to help cities and counties hire new law enforcement officers
NYPD
NYPD recruit Robert Castioni estimates nine of his relatives served in LE; the sacrifices of his cousin and father, who both died in the line of duty, inspired him to serve
Agencies have until June 24 to start applications for projects and officer wellness programs worth up to $200K
The hiring measures include programs to rehire retired officers for certain roles, reassessing overtime and special duty assignments, and putting more officers on patrol
USBP says more than 34,000 people sought agent jobs from January through April, a 44% jump over the same period last year
The department hired more recruits in early 2025 than in any year since 2019, crediting social media outreach, Instagram Live Q&As and community partnerships for the rebound
Full tuition waivers to the state’s colleges would be available after six years of service; line of duty death benefits would increase from $25,000 to $100,000 under the bill
“I want people to see that behind the uniform is actually a person. We’re sons and daughters and mothers and fathers, and we have souls,” Lt. Courtney Murphy said
Under the deal, officers would receive 10% raises in July, and then 8% raises in 2026, 6% raises in both 2027 and 2028 and 6.5% raises in 2029
How to use recruitment messaging and leverage new technology to attract, hire, onboard and retain top talent
California ranked #1 for the second year in a row, followed by Connecticut and Illinois; among the lowest on the list are Nevada, Hawaii and Alaska
The resignation followed an incident where the Jacksboro city manager suspected police officers of attempting to ‘set him up’ for a DUI arrest and called for an investigation
Daily applications to the NYPD increased by nearly 45%, from 56 to 81 per day on average; since February, more than 9,700 people have applied to take the next police exam
In 2024, Seattle PD rolled out a package of incentives, including a $50,000 bonus for lateral recruits; the department has brought on 60 new officers in 2025
S.B. 641 will “repeal the statutory limit on the number of police,” allowing the Pennsylvania State Police to “hire the number of troopers that they see fit,” State Sen. Marty Flynn said
Fixing policing’s future starts with fixing its leaders
Wellness
The Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office’s 4/8/40 schedule pays deputies for working four 10-hour shifts, while they can use 2 hours per shift to work out, go to counseling or do other activities
“There’s a lot to being a police officer — more than what you see on TV,” Aurora Police Captain Justin Shipley said. “But they absorb it all, and they’re excited to get out here”
“We’re so short-handed, we worry about [patrol officers’] abilities mentally and physically,” Muskogee Police Chief Johnnie Teehee said
LAPD’s recruitment campaign targets adults 21–35 with ads on Instagram, Twitch, Reddit and LA billboards
MOST POPULAR
- Veteran S.F. police officers could see pay reach more than $400K under retention proposal
- NYPD lowers age requirement for first time in 25 years, waives exam fee to boost recruitment
- Justice Department dropping cases alleging discriminatory police and firefighter hiring
- 30x30 initiative, other LE organizations address misguided blame in response to Trump rally shooting
- Mich. PD switches to 12-hour shifts, offers raises and increased benefits as part of recruitment push