Title
Phoenix Police Department Recruitment, Hiring and Attrition Update
Description
This item provides the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee with a report on the Phoenix Police Department’s hiring and recruitment efforts.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
In late 2024, the Police Department began several process improvements in the processing of applicants for the position of police recruit. Towards the end of 2024, and through the first quarter of 2025, the Department saw a dramatic increase in both applications and officers hired. In addition to improving the hiring process, the Department has developed improvements in its recruitment focuses on its ongoing efforts to hire diverse candidates that represent the community it serves.
2024 vs. 2025 Applications
As of April 2025, the Department has received 1,486 applications for the position of Police Recruit and 101 applications for Lateral/Reinstatement. This is in comparison to 828 applications for Police Recruit and 57 applications for Lateral/Reinstatement for the same time period in 2024. This is an 80 percent increase in applications received in 2025 compared to this time in 2024.
Recruit, Lateral and Reinstatement Hiring
As of April 2025, the Department has hired 75 Police Recruits and 12 Laterals and Reinstatements for a total of 87 new hires. This is in comparison to 49 Police Recruits and one Lateral Officer hired for a total of 50 new hires at the same time this year in 2024. This is a 74 percent increase in individuals hired in 2025 compared to this time in 2024.
Academy Recruit Class Totals
The recruiting and hiring efforts thus far in 2025 have resulted in Class 1 of 2025 with 30 recruits and Class 2 of 2025 with 41 recruits for a total of 71 recruits in 2025. This is in comparison to 14 recruits in Class 1 of 2024 and 18 recruits in Class 2 of 2024 for a total of 32 recruits. The Employment Services Unit is also in the process of finalizing Class 3 of 2025 which will include 47 recruits compared to 18 recruits in Class 2 of 2024. This is a 136 percent increase in Recruit Class size in 2025 compared to this time in 2024.
Community-Oriented Recruitment
The Phoenix Police and Phoenix Fire departments held its first Public Safety Career Experience on April 19, 2025. The Career Experience included numerous demonstrations from both departments and was open to all ages. Interested individuals were encouraged to bring their families so that everyone could learn about the many different jobs and responsibilities both departments perform. Recruiters from the Police Department were also on site with computers for participants to apply.
Approximately 500 people participated in the event and 29 individuals applied to be Police Recruits and another 16 applied to be 911 Dispatchers. This event was another example of shifting the Department’s recruitment strategy from traditional advertising and job fairs to community-oriented events that encourage the community to interact with the Department.
Future Improvements
The Department is bringing online a new communications platform, All Star Recruit CRM, that will allow recruiters to communicate with applicants through instant messaging through texts. The program will allow recruiters and background investigators to quickly communicate and have one-on-one interactions with each candidate. This will further improve communication between applicants and the recruiters and reduce the application processing times. In addition, the Employment Services Unit will continue to analyze the steps an applicant goes through during the hiring process to ensure the Department is operating with equity and efficiency.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Police Department.