Title
Phoenix Police Department Recruitment, Hiring and Retention
Description
This report provides the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee with information regarding the recruitment, hiring and retention programs of sworn personnel within the Phoenix Police Department. It also provides information on civilian vacancies within the department. The Department currently has a total of 459 vacant positions. This total includes 247 sworn and 212 civilian vacancies. Police departments across the country are experiencing significant reductions in police recruit applications and new hires, as well as increasing attrition levels among existing officers. The City is investing in several new recruiting efforts and introducing hiring bonuses and referral incentives.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
Current Department staffing numbers are listed below, based on the most recent Monthly Authorized Position Report provided by Budget and Research Department on Aug. 23, 2021:
- Number of total filled sworn positions: 2,878 (includes 41 current recruits)
- Sworn hiring target: 3,125
- Number of authorized civilian positions: 1,151
- Vacant sworn positions: 247
- Vacant civilian positions: 212
- Total vacant positions: 459
The Employment Services Bureau of the Phoenix Police Department is responsible for the recruitment and hiring of both sworn and civilian personnel for the department. In the last three fiscal years, police departments across the country including Phoenix have seen significant reductions in police recruit applications and new hires. Based on Phoenix Police Department data from the last three fiscal years:
- Hiring for FY 18-19: 315 total officers (301 recruits, 14 laterals)
- Hiring for FY 19-20: 257 total officers (244 recruits, 13 laterals)
- Hiring for FY 20-21: 95 total officers (90 recruits, 5 laterals)
One trend to monitor is total attrition, which has continued to climb during the last three fiscal years. As part of this trend, more officers are leaving the Department for reasons other than finishing their Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP). Based on Phoenix Police Department data from the last three fiscal years:
- Total Sworn Attrition for FY 18-19: 177 (66 percent due to DROP)
- Total Sworn Attrition for FY 19-20: 196 (48 percent due to DROP)
- Total Sworn Attrition for FY 20-21: 200 (49 percent due to DROP)
This trend is projected to continue over the next five years:
- Projected retirements through DROP for the next five years: 447 (assuming employee does the full five years of DROP)
- Currently eligible for 20-year retirement: 810 (approximately 30 percent of department)
Civilian Vacancies
There are currently 212 civilian vacancies. Of these, 75 are new positions approved by Council in the FY 2021-22 budget. A concentrated focus has been placed on filling critical needs of the department in relation to civilian positions. Communications/9-1-1 vacancies are being addressed and all Academy classes for operators are filled through the beginning of November 2021.
Hiring Incentives
City management has authorized a hiring bonus for police recruits and lateral police officer applicants up to $7,500. Additionally, all City employees that refer candidates to join the Phoenix Police Department may be eligible to receive an incentive of up to $2,500 for referring a police recruit or lateral police officer.
The $7,500 incentive publicity campaign began Thursday, Aug. 19, to include social media, digital advertising, billboards, banners, radio, television, and virtual presentations. The $2,500 employee referral bonus campaign also begins Thursday, Aug. 19, and a Citywide employee notification was also sent out to all employees with follow-up through weekly newsletters.
Recruiting
The Employment Services Bureau is committed to aggressively marketing and recruiting new police hires as well as lateral police officers. The Recruitment Team is currently made up of four officers and one sergeant. In the last 14 months, the recruiting team has created and marketed the following events:
- 131 in-person events
- 75 digital advertisements throughout the country
- 77 virtual events throughout the country
- Radio and television advertisements - KTAR, FOX 10, NBC Channel 12, Telemundo
- Gave virtual presentations at university and college career fairs and classrooms
- Digital advertisement flyers for universities and colleges
- Banners and billboards
In the last 11 months, the Employment Services Bureau has heavily invested in social media resulting in an increased amount of traffic to the City's websites. The recruiting website, JoinPHXPD.com, has experienced 91,762 new users and received over 131,227 page views. Staff purchased nine Facebook ads, resulting in 1.864 million people reached (people who saw the advertisement) and 84,100 link clicks (people that clicked the link on Facebook or the JoinPHXPD website).
Retention
The Department realizes that our employees are our most valuable asset. The Department also recognizes that efforts must be taken to ensure staff is retained and committed to the City and Department for years to come. To assist with retention efforts, the Department has identified a dedicated sergeant to focus solely on retention, as well as introduced new programs such as:
- Mentoring Program
- Revamped PMG process
- Career Development discussions
- Exit interviews
- Career expansion opportunities
- Sworn Employee Retention Survey
Conclusion
The Phoenix Police Department is not unique in facing increased challenges in recent years related to the hiring and retention of both sworn and civilian police positions. Many agencies around the country are experiencing the same challenges. We are committed to continuing to expand efforts to recruit, hire and retain employees.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Jeffrey Barton and the Police Department.