NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams announced that the NYPD is on course to reach a headcount of 35,000 uniformed officers by the fall of 2026, marking a major milestone in the administration’s public safety efforts, according to a news release.
The April 29 announcement coincided with the swearing-in of over 670 new NYPD recruits and follows a series of changes that have led to a sharp increase in recruitment.
Since July 2024, the NYPD has sworn in approximately 2,200 probationary officers, 600 of whom have already graduated, according to the release. Another 600 are set to graduate in May 2025, and 1,000 remain in training. The city’s Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget includes $3.4 billion to support 34,000 officers, with FY 2027 funding projected to support a full force of 35,000.
“When we came into office over three years ago, we had a clear mission and a clear mandate: Drive down crime and make sure every New Yorker feels safe,” Mayor Adams said. “…It’s clear New Yorkers are eager to join the NYPD.”
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The boost in hiring follows expanded eligibility requirements implemented in February 2025. The NYPD lowered its minimum college credit requirement from 60 to 24 credits, and the department reinstated a timed 1.5-mile run to emphasize physical readiness. The NYPD Police Academy training program now grants 45 college credits — up from 36 — meaning graduates enter the department with at least 69 college credits.
The changes have led to a surge in interest. 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, and over 1,172 applications have been submitted in the past month alone. The application window remains open until May 20, with exams beginning June 17.
As part of the new eligibility plan, the NYPD contacted more than 5,000 previously ineligible candidates across 29 active civil service lists. Over 4,000 of those individuals expressed renewed interest in joining the department, and more than 1,300 have already reported to the Candidate Assessment Unit to take the next steps in the hiring process.
Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the department’s modernized hiring approach is helping rebuild the force after years of staffing challenges.
“We’re not just growing the NYPD — we’re making sure the department has the people it needs to meet this moment,” she said.
In the first quarter of 2025, the city recorded a 10.9% decrease in overall index crime, with homicides down 34.4% and shootings down 23.1% compared to the same period in 2024. The quarter included the fewest shootings for any three-month period on record, and for the first time in seven years, no homicides were reported in the transit system, according to the release.
