San Francisco Police Department Sees Largest Cadet Influx in Years

With three academy classes training in session, the San Francisco Police Department is on track to graduate more recruits in 2024 than any year since the pandemic began, according to the agency.

On Tuesday, the SFPD Police Academy welcomed 19 new candidates, the department stated in a news release. Another 41 recruits are training in two other classes, which are set to graduate in February and May. That's the highest number of cadets training at any a single time since before the pandemic, the department stated.

The influx of cadets represents the jump in applications the department has seen since the end of 2022. At that time, applications began to increase back to the department's 2018 levels after down years during the pandemic.

The department and Mayor London Breed credited improved recruiting efforts, such as increased pay and expanded outreach, with driving the spike in applications. Although the department is still roughly 500 officers short of its goal, the larger academy classes are helping to stabilize staffing.

“Efforts to boost recruiting in San Francisco are paying off,” Chief Bill Scott said in a statement. “The SFPD is moving in the right direction, and I’m overjoyed to see so many applicants wanting to join our department. They have begun their journey to be part of one of the most historic police forces in the nation that stands as a model for how reform and public safety go hand-in-hand.” 

Go to the San Francisco Police Department's jobs page for more information about career opportunities.