Police Staffing

Research has long focused on the size of police agencies, giving little attention to the composition of the workforce itself. Using data from a national survey, we examine personnel cohorts (i.e., distribution of junior, midlevel, and senior sworn staff) as an element of workforce structure in the largest, U.S. municipal police organizations. Read More

How many police officers does an agency need? This question is difficult to answer in the best of times. It has become more so in recent years, as an economic downturn caused police agencies to consider hiring freezes, furloughs, lay-offs, salary and benefit cutbacks, and retirement incentives. Read More

This report summarizes an assessment of police staffing allocation and deployment in Traverse City, MI.

In spite of persistently high unemployment rates, police departments across the United States face immediate staffing challenges. These challenges also complicate the attainment of long-term workforce planning goals. Read More

Data analysis can lead to innovative ways to address some of the most pressing criminal justice problems. Data collection and measurement, for example, supported the implementation of several successful crime-reduction strategies in recent decades. Read More

The supply of and demand for qualified police officers are changing in a time of increasing attrition, expanding law-enforcement responsibilities, and decreasing resources. This book summarizes lessons on recruiting and retaining effective workforces. Read More

A study done on the resource deployment and organization of the Lansing, Michigan police department. Read More

While much attention is given to recruiting and retention, these are only tools for accomplishing a larger goal: achieving and maintaining the profile of officers by experience and rank that satisfies agency needs and officer career aspirations. Read More

Local police agencies face recruitment and retention challenges. Existing research can help local officials identify what has been learned elsewhere and is applicable to their own situations. Read More

Pending baby-boom-generation retirements, military call-ups, local budget crises, competition for qualified applicants, and changing work preferences of younger generations exacerbate the challenge of recruitment and retention of police officers in a time of increasing crime and homeland security demands in American cities. Read More