Police agencies seeking to maintain their staffing levels often focus first on recruitment and retention of officers. A more critical initial question, however, is how many officers do they need? This guidebook provides a framework for understanding, conducting, and managing staffing studies using evidence-based and workload-driven approaches.
Drawing on research and practical experience, this guidebook outlines key questions to consider in conducting staffing studies, including
- What is a staffing study?
- Why conduct a staffing study?
- What are the challenges associated with a staffing study?
- What are typical approaches to staffing allocation?
- What data are needed for a staffing study?
- Who should be part of the conversation about a staffing study?
- Who should conduct the study?
- How much does a staffing study cost?
- How long does a study take?
- How often should a study be conducted?
- What should agencies do after a staffing study?
Ultimately, staffing studies are not one-time exercises but part of an organizational learning process that supports resource optimization, policy development, and community trust. This guidebook can help agencies use staffing as a strategic tool for achieving broader public safety objectives and to integrate research, stakeholder input, and continuous evaluation into workforce planning decisions.
