In recent years, officer resignations have continued to increase with some agencies reporting nearly 50 percent more resignations in 2022 than in 2019.¹ This stark shift can’t be traced back to one singular event but, rather, a number of challenges plaguing the policing profession, including budget constraints, changes in the global perception of officers, and growing expectations among leadership. After agencies successfully find, train, and deploy personnel, it’s on their shoulders to do all they can to retain officers.

As new generations enter the field, they bring with them new expectations. There is a growing demand from younger recruits for agencies to implement more wellness-focused initiatives and training. The profession is moving further away from the “brush off and move on” mentality. Today, it’s critical for agencies to invest in holistic well-being practices in order to retain happy, healthy officers. While this may seem like a heavy lift, it doesn’t have to be. Small shifts to an agency’s culture and training can have a large impact on the ability to recruit and retain officers in 2024 and beyond.

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