In recent years, law enforcement agencies have faced significant staffing challenges, with a notable decline in recruitment and retention rates. A 2019 survey by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) revealed that 78% of agencies struggled to recruit sufficient officers. This situation worsened between 2020 and 2021, with resignation rates increasing by 18% and retirements by 45%.
Many law enforcement agencies are turning to technology to address staffing challenges. Doing more with technology can also enhance efficiency, reduce administrative burdens, and improve officer satisfaction. By streamlining operations, technology can free up staff time, allowing officers to focus more on community engagement and critical policing tasks.
Time-saving technologies
One significant advancement is the adoption of mobile technology, enabling officers to complete reports directly from the field. This approach reduces the need for officers to return to the station, saving staff hours spent writing reports. The new technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) to generate reports from video and data integration between systems, which saves time re-entering the same information in multiple systems. Efficient reporting tools save time and improve the accuracy and accessibility of information.
Using technology that integrates artificial intelligence can be beneficial and save time when analyzing large amounts of data. That data can result in investigative lead generation, tracking crime numbers, monitoring officer health and well-being, and so much more. Using systems to sift through and correlate the data reduces staff time and offers valuable information more quickly and effectively. The time savings allow agencies to focus on the actual policing and less on the more time-consuming acts of data entry and searching multiple systems.
Enhancing recruitment and retention
Technology also helps make law enforcement careers more appealing to potential recruits. Modern tools and platforms can streamline the hiring process, making it more accessible and efficient, especially for younger generations. For example, the Granite City Police Department in Illinois launched a recruitment campaign in 2023 that used a marketing agency to create videos and social media to attract applicants. According to a recent article that mentioned the 2023 hiring campaign, before the marketing change, Granite City PD had only a few applicants but after the new video ads and marketing on social media, their applicant pool grew to around 300.
Technology has also been found to aid in the retention of current officers. A survey referenced by the Department of Justice indicated that 63% of law enforcement employees stated technology helps them perform their duties more efficiently and with fewer mistakes, while making it easier to use the systems and technology available.
Police officer health and wellness
Staffing challenges in law enforcement are not solely a recruitment issue. Officer retention is heavily influenced by officer wellness. Agencies that prioritize officer well-being can reduce burnout, improve job satisfaction, and encourage long-term careers in policing.
- Mental Health: Many agencies now use wellness apps and telehealth services to provide officers with easy access to mental health support. Programs that offer confidential resources, peer support, and mental resilience training to help officers manage stress and trauma can support officer well-being, which can help officers stay healthy and fit on the job, increasing longevity.
- Providing Support: The Austin Police Department (APD) in Texas is working to improve mental health support services for police officers. Their employee wellness division has volunteer chaplains, comfort dogs, and psychologists to help officers with their mental health. That help can include assisting with on-duty-related and outside-of-work issues, which can take a toll on an officer’s overall health and well-being.
- Wearable Technology for Health Monitoring: Some departments are integrating wearable technology that monitors officer vitals, such as heart rate and stress levels, helping to prevent burnout and early signs of PTSD. The New York Police Department has piloted programs to track wearing some health-monitoring devices to track stress and fatigue as part of research to improve wellness interventions for police officers.
- Sleep Management Tools: Some commercially available technologies analyze sleep patterns and recommend optimal sleep schedules, which can help reduce exhaustion and improve cognitive performance on duty.
- Physical Fitness and Recovery Programs: A study int The Sport Journal found a need for wellness interventions in law enforcement to combat the very different realities of policing—long periods of sitting or inactivity that quickly change to a situation that requires maximum physical exertion. Departments that invest in physical health and offer physical therapy and stress-reduction programs can reduce injuries and injury-related absences while improving mental health, quality of life, and longevity.
Technology as a solution
Embracing technological advancements offers a viable solution to the staffing challenges in law enforcement. By adopting time-saving tools, modern recruitment strategies, and officer wellness programs, agencies can enhance operational efficiency, improve officer satisfaction, and create a more attractive environment for potential recruits. Integrating technology thoughtfully and responsibly will be key to building resilient and effective police officers and law enforcement agencies.
Toni Rogers
Toni Rogers is a freelance writer and former manager of police support services, including communications, records, property and evidence, database and systems management, and building technology. She has a master’s degree in Criminal Justice with certification in Law Enforcement Administration and a master's degree in Digital Audience Strategies.
During her 18-year tenure in law enforcement, Toni was a certified Emergency Number Professional (ENP), earned a Law Enforcement Inspections and Auditing Certification, was certified as a Spillman Application Administrator (database and systems management for computer-aided dispatch and records management), and a certified communications training officer.
Toni now provides content marketing and writing through her company, Eclectic Pearls, LLC.
