Amid nationwide recruitment challenges in law enforcement, several agencies are beginning to turn the tide with record-setting academy classes and renewed interest in public safety careers.
Through targeted outreach, improved compensation and strategic partnerships, departments in cities like New York, Houston, San Francisco and Birmingham are seeing promising results.
This roundup highlights how these agencies are rebuilding their ranks — and what’s working.
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NYPD sees largest recruit class in nearly 10 years
The NYPD recently swore in nearly 1,100 new recruits at its Police Academy in Queens, the department’s largest class in nearly a decade, according to Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
This surge in hiring, paired with recent graduations and upcoming classes, puts the NYPD on track to reach its highest number of hires in a single year since records began in 1983.
| READ MORE: NYPD welcomes 1,093 new recruits to academy, largest class in nearly a decade
Tisch described the effort as a vital response to a recent hiring crisis and a sign of renewed interest in policing. The diverse class represents 34 languages, with 68% living in New York City and one-quarter born outside the U.S.
While officials celebrated the momentum, Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry cautioned that long-term retention remains a concern without improved working conditions and compensation.
Today, 1,093 new recruits are entering the NYPD Police Academy, the largest class in nearly a decade.
— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) August 20, 2025
Together with the classes we welcomed in January and April, this year already marks the most new NYPD recruits hired in nearly 20 years. And with the next upcoming class, we are… pic.twitter.com/Sw7dwKAHxG
Birmingham (Ala.) PD welcomes largest academy class in department history
The Birmingham (Ala.) Police Department launched its largest police academy class in the department’s history, welcoming 93 new recruits as part of a major effort to address recruitment and retention challenges, WVTM reported.
Chief Michael Pickett and Mayor Randall Woodfin credit the growth to a focused investment in public safety, including a $15.8 million recruitment and retention program backed by the city’s 2025–2026 budget.
Since January, the department has hired 202 new officers and is on track to be fully staffed by November 2025. The expanded academy class is expected to enhance patrol coverage and bolster specialized units, contributing to a broader strategy to reduce shootings in the city.
Officials report that homicides are already down over 50% year-to-date compared to 2024, signaling progress in Birmingham’s targeted crime-reduction efforts.
🚨 Historic Milestone 🚨
— Bhampolice (@BhamPolice) August 20, 2025
The Birmingham Police Department is proud to welcome 93 new recruits—the largest academy class in our department’s history! pic.twitter.com/zZZPYRpmE5
San Francisco County Sheriff’s Office sees staffing growth
The San Francisco Sheriff’s Department is seeing its first staffing increase in six years, crediting its “Rebuilding the Ranks” initiative for reversing a longstanding recruitment and retention decline, KGO reported.
In the 2024–2025 fiscal year, the department hired 96 deputies and experienced a net gain of 47, a notable shift from previous years marked by consistent losses.
Leaders attribute the improvement to expanded roles beyond jail supervision, more flexible assignments and modernized recruitment tools, including a live recruiter chatbot.
While the sheriff’s office is seeing progress, the department remains short about 180 deputies, resulting in $27 million in overtime last year. Officials say the changes are aimed not just at boosting numbers but at making law enforcement careers more sustainable and attractive in a challenging post-2020 climate.
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Houston Police Academy class doubles in size
The Houston Police Department is seeing a promising increase in academy recruitment following the implementation of a new police contract that includes a 36.5% pay raise over five years, the Houston Chronicle reported.
The department’s latest class includes 79 recruits, a sharp rise from the 34 cadets in the previous class, marking the largest jump in numbers since the contract took effect in July.
Union President Doug Griffith said the contract is already proving to be an effective recruiting tool. City leaders remain optimistic that improved compensation will help reverse the department’s ongoing recruitment challenges.
