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The Phoenix Police Department has set itself apart from departments in other major cities amid the ongoing national staffing crisis, becoming one of the rare agencies to report a year-end increase in its officer count for the first time since 2019.
Various factors have contributed to the difficulty in recruiting and retaining officers, as highlighted by Arizona State University criminology and criminal justice professor Charles Katz. These include retirements, the impact of COVID-19, changes in benefits and a negative public perception of law enforcement from both political spectrums.
However, the Phoenix P.D. has managed to stay ahead of separations in 2023 through a combination of strategic changes.
Despite losing 155 officers, the department hired 182 new officers, resulting in a net gain of 27. At the end of 2023, the department boasted 2,565 officers out of a budgeted total of 4,587 positions, with 3,125 being sworn positions, according to Phoenix’s Director of Communications Dan Wilson.
Commander Sara Garza of the Phoenix Police’s Recruitment and Retention Unit acknowledged the unpredictability of law enforcement recruiting.
“We’re never really sure what the year will bring,” she said, attributing some of the success in recruitment to improved pay incentives implemented by the City Council, which have made Phoenix officers the highest paid in the state.
A key legislative intervention in 2022 allowed officers to defer retirement, reducing attrition rates significantly. Garza noted that 58% of eligible officers in Phoenix opted for this extension, contributing to the department’s efforts to maintain staffing levels.
Furthermore, the department has expanded its wellness unit to address officers’ physical and mental health needs. Garza referred to partnerships with counseling services, as well as the hiring of athletic trainers and mental performance coaches, to support officers in coping with the challenges of the job, as a few examples. The programs are funded by budget increases passed partly by the City Council last year.
However, national trends reflecting a polarized political culture around policing have affected recruitment efforts. Katz mentioned criticisms from both the far left and the “MAGA movement,” contributing to shifts in public opinion about law enforcement. This has led to early retirements and deterred potential recruits, according to interviews conducted by Arizona State University researchers.
In response to these challenges, the Phoenix P.D. is focusing on diversifying its recruitment efforts.
Garza further stressed the need to increase the representation of women in the force. She said the goal is to have women make up 30% of police recruit classes by 2030. This includes showcasing more women in promotional ads and highlighting officers in roles not typically advertised.
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