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 ONLY.
Report
Summary
In 2024, the Police Department (the 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 experienced a dramatic increase in both applications and 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 March 2025, the Department has received 1,339 applications for the position of Police Recruit and 70 applications for Lateral/Reinstatement. This is in comparison to 596 applications for Police Recruit and 38 applications for Lateral/Reinstatement for the same time this year in 2024. This represents a 124.7 percent increase from 2024 to 2025.
Recruit, Lateral and Reinstatement Hiring
As of March 2025, the Department has hired 64 Police Recruits and 7 Laterals and Reinstatements. This is in comparison to 31 Police Recruits and 1 Lateral Officer hired at the same time this year in 2024. This represents a 121.9 percent increase from 2024 to 2025.
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 2024. 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. This is the largest recruitment group the department has had since 2019.
Community-Oriented Recruitment
The Phoenix Police Department is committed to hiring the most qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds. To accomplish this, the Employment Services Unit began collaborating more with the Community Response Squad. Together, the two units have begun community-oriented recruiting efforts. This is accomplished by partnering the Employment Services Unit with the numerous Police Chief’s Advisory Boards that are organized by the Community Response Squad. The Employment Services Unit attends Advisory Board meetings and cooperatively works with members of the board to encourage members of their respective communities to explore careers in law enforcement. Currently, the Phoenix Police Department supports and assists the Advisory Boards which represent the following communities: African American, Arab, Asian, Cross-Disability, Faith Based, Hispanic, Jewish, LGBTQ, Muslim, American Indian, Refugee, and Sikh communities.
In addition, the Employment Services Unit recently began working on proactive communication strategies to engage with the community at large by exploring innovative means of reaching as many community members as possible. The recruiting team recently began conducting monthly Instagram Live video sessions where background investigations staff and current employees share their experiences with the public audience. Live video question and answer sessions last approximately 45 minutes and each month an employee from a different department within the police department makes themselves available to answer the public’s questions about what makes their job unique. The Instagram platform allows the recruiting team to reach the community at large regardless of where they are.
Future Improvements
The Department will continue to improve processes by implementing technology such as a new communications platform that will allow recruiters to communicate with applicants through instant messaging through texts. 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.