Bay Area Must Address Police Officer Shortages

Police departments across the Bay Area are experiencing severe officer shortages and the timing couldn’t be worse as concerns about crime and public safety soar. Unfilled positions can impact response times, put strain on existing officers, reduce morale, stretch already tight budgets, and even lead to more crime. In San Francisco, a September 2022 report warned about the possibility of 800 vacant police positions as the number of sworn officers declined 12% from 2019 to 2022 and a wave of retirements is expected soon. With a limited pool of new recruits entering the system, more and more departments are starting to offer signing bonuses and other incentives to attract new officers.

But that plunges departments into a frantic and likely unsustainable competitive bidding war. Many Bay Area departments are already offering up to $10,000 signing bonuses, and San Mateo and Alameda police departments are offering $30,000. Smaller departments and those with fewer resources have a hard time keeping up. San Francisco currently offers just $5,000, and Supervisor Matt Haney this week introduced a Resolution that urges the department to match bonuses of other departments. See a chart comparing department recruitment incentives.

As the problem worsens, the Bay Area Council is stepping into the breach. With residents and employers citing crime as a major reason for deciding whether to come to the Bay Area or remain here, there is no higher priority than restoring confidence in law enforcement and ensuring departments have the resources and staff they need. That’s why the Council’s Executive Committee elevated crime, public safety and cleanliness as our top policy initiative this year.

On the police officer recruitment front, the challenge is developing strategies for increasing the overall pipeline of new police recruits. Competing for diminishing supply is a losing game. The Council has already begun meetings with local police chiefs and other law enforcement leaders to understand the challenges and work to beef up the recruitment pipeline. To engage in the Council’s public safety policy work, please contact Policy Director Laura Hill.