Phoenix Police’s efforts to recruit more officers starting to pay off

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) — Kevin Glover is a little older than the other graduates who received their badges Thursday, but he’s just as passionate and “fired up” to start his career with the Phoenix Police Department. Arizona’s Family sat down with the 56-year-old dad and asked him why he left a good job working for a Valley car business to become a Phoenix police officer.

“My time in the private sector, I enjoyed that, but there was always that pull to go back to serve in this capacity,” said Glover. The former U.S. Marine is among a growing number of people wanting to work for the Phoenix Police Department, which is quite a change from the past few years when the department has struggled to recruit officers in the face of 500-plus open positions.

Phoenix Police Commander Sara Garza says they’ve taken a number of steps to improve recruitment. Everything from increasing pay and enhancing health benefits to expanding their search for qualified applicants that stretches across the country. They’ve also stepped up marketing efforts and ad campaigns.

“We’re in universities, all our partner universities, ASU, GCU U of A, Maricopa Colleges, we’re trying to meet everybody where they are,” said Garza. “Whether it’s meeting folks in different neighborhoods, college sporting events, the Final 4, you should see our recruiters there.” And their efforts appear to be paying off.

In 2023, the Phoenix Police Dept. lost 155 officers to retirement or something else. But the agency hired 182 officers, for a net gain of 27 new officers. It’s the first time the department had a net gain since 2019.

“Law enforcement, in my mind, is still a very noble profession that people should get involved in,” said Glover. “I think more people want to get involved in it than you realize,” she says.

Phoenix police officers are currently the highest paid in the state. Here is more information on applying to work with the Phoenix Police Department.

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