Law Enforcement Officers: Observations on Recruitment and Retention at the Federal, Tribal, State, and Local Levels
Fast Facts
From 2019 through 2024, officer resignations and retirements have increased, reducing staff at law enforcement agencies. Studies have shown that having more officers can improve public safety and reduce crime.
In this Q&A, we looked at this issue in federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies—and federal efforts to help. For example, agencies have taken steps to recruit and retain more officers by enhancing employment benefits and trying different recruitment techniques.
Also, federal programs such as the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services provide funding to help agencies increase staffing.
Close-up of a shiny, silver police badge against a black background.
Highlights
What GAO Found
According to national surveys of federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, the number of law enforcement officers who resigned or retired generally increased from fiscal years 2019 through 2024, which contributed to overall decreases in officer staffing. Law enforcement agencies reported taking steps to recruit and retain officers by enhancing benefits and compensation, and diversifying their recruitment techniques.
The Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program provides funding to support hiring initiatives at tribal, state, local, and territorial law enforcement agencies. Studies show a relationship between local law enforcement staffing levels and crime rates. For example, studies included in our review of literature showed that increasing the number of law enforcement officers resulted in reduced crime.
Why GAO Did This Study
The Recruit and Retain Act, which became law in 2024, includes a provision for GAO to report on the effects of recruitment and attrition rates on federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the United States. This report provides information on how staffing levels at selected federal law enforcement agencies changed from fiscal years 2020 through 2024, recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers, and the effects staffing levels may have had on public safety.
For this work, we conducted a literature search to identify studies, articles, and other publications from academia, law enforcement associations, and government sources relevant to the recruitment and retention of law enforcement personnel. We reviewed selected literature and documentation and conducted interviews with representatives of eight selected federal agencies from four departments. We also interviewed representatives from 10 law enforcement associations to obtain their perspectives on law enforcement personnel staffing recruitment and retention. Membership of these selected associations represents a cross-section of law enforcement personnel from across the country. In addition, we reviewed previous surveys of law enforcement personnel on recruitment and retention conducted by law enforcement associations.
For more information, contact Gretta Goodwin at GoodwinG@gao.gov.