In a recent government meeting, officials discussed staffing trends within police departments, revealing significant disparities between small, medium, and large agencies. The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) reported that small agencies, defined as those with 1 to 49 officers, have seen an increase in sworn officers since January 2020. Medium agencies, with 50 to 249 officers, are also experiencing a gradual rise in staffing levels. In contrast, large agencies, including the Phoenix Police Department, have faced a slight decline in sworn staffing, although there are indications that this trend may be stabilizing.

As of mid-2023, the Phoenix Police Department reported 2,532 sworn officers, with projections estimating an increase to 2,557 by the end of the year. However, Councilman Waring raised concerns about the department's ability to reach its historical staffing goal of 3,125 officers, noting that attrition has outpaced hiring in recent years. The discussion highlighted a broader national issue affecting large police departments, where recruitment challenges have become increasingly pronounced.

Commander of the Phoenix Police Department acknowledged the difficulties in hiring and emphasized the need to attract more candidates to the force. He pointed out that other large departments, such as the Los Angeles Police Department, are also struggling to meet their staffing goals, with hiring rates significantly lower than needed to maintain adequate personnel levels.

The meeting also touched on the impact of geographical challenges on police response times, particularly in districts with wide-open spaces. Officials agreed that addressing these issues is crucial for maintaining effective service delivery, especially given the current staffing levels.

In a positive development, the department noted that the introduction of a two-year drop extension option has led to more officers opting to extend their service rather than retire, which has helped mitigate some staffing losses. However, Councilman Waring suggested that further analysis is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of recent pay raises on recruitment and retention.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by large police departments in maintaining adequate staffing levels and the need for strategic discussions on how to adapt to what may be a new normal in law enforcement staffing.