From attracting qualified candidates and telling an authentic agency story to streamlining hiring processes and building long-term career pathways, departments are rethinking how they recruit and retain the next generation of officers. Police Recruitment Week explores how agencies are modernizing recruitment, with practical insights for leaders navigating staffing shortages, community expectations and the realities of building a sustainable workforce.
What the data and the field reveal about where agencies lose candidates and how to keep them
FEATURED CONTENT
A practical, agency-wide framework that turns every sworn and civilian employee into an active recruiting force
Agencies relying on bonuses and short-term tactics may see temporary gains but lasting staffing stability comes from strategies that improve retention, reputation and community trust
A customized childcare model built for law enforcement families aims to improve retention, boost morale and deliver measurable return on investment
Integrating civilians, structured internet sleuth programs, artificial intelligence and regional partnerships may be the key to sustaining clearance rates in the 21st century
Facing staffing shortages and rising complexity, departments like Atlanta are expanding civilian leadership and professional staff roles to stabilize operations, modernize capabilities and relieve pressure on sworn officers
From paperwork to people skills, seasoned cops offer hard-earned advice for the next generation
If you’re losing applicants, stretching hiring timelines or watching academy classes shrink, this guide outlines what agencies are doing to rebuild their staffing pipeline
COMPLETE COVERAGE
Officer Dack Thompson completed the 585-hour program to meet dual-role requirements in Rohnert Park’s consolidated police-fire department
Intense de-escalation and trauma training prepare the next generation of officers for the realities of the job
By reminding viewers that every officer was once a child with a dream, the Eau Claire Police Department is inspiring both future applicants and those already wearing the badge
Jordan Wilmore thought his dream of being a Texas peace officer was over after a 69 on his state exam. Then he got a FaceTime call from the “Big Diesel”
The agency’s recruitment efforts included outsourcing applicant background checks and highlighting flexible work assignments and opportunities for advancement in its marketing campaigns
City leaders credit proactive enforcement and new tech tools for crime reductions and a dramatic boost in recruitment numbers
Six converging forces will shape how agencies operate, communicate and earn trust in an increasingly volatile public safety environment
From the field to the force: Follow the journeys of 3 former NFL players who honored a call to serve
After years on the gridiron, three former NFL players bring their discipline, leadership and teamwork to new careers in law enforcement across their hometown communities
“This milestone does not happen by accident; it’s the direct result of a historic number of people answering the call to serve our city,” Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated
Violent crime is down 19% in Prince George’s County, and property crime has decreased 15% compared to 2024; the county also welcomed its largest recruit class in a decade
ABOUT THE SPONSOR: eSOPH by Miller Mendel
With a primary focus of turning past practices used by city, county, state and federal government agencies into modern, efficient, and cost-effective digital solutions, Miller Mendel (MMI) has been creating category-leading systems since 2011.
eSOPH by Miller Mendel is a secure, cloud-based, pre-employment background investigation software system designed specifically for public safety agencies. Used by hundreds of agencies nationwide, eSOPH has been credited with cutting the time it takes to process a pre-employment background investigation by up to 50%, saving agencies significant time, money, and resources without sacrificing investigation quality.
eSOPH by Miller Mendel is a secure, cloud-based, pre-employment background investigation software system designed specifically for public safety agencies. Used by hundreds of agencies nationwide, eSOPH has been credited with cutting the time it takes to process a pre-employment background investigation by up to 50%, saving agencies significant time, money, and resources without sacrificing investigation quality.
How to use recruitment messaging and leverage new technology to attract, hire, onboard and retain top talent