Abstract
Law enforcement agencies across the United States face persistent challenges in recruiting and retaining police officers, resulting in widespread staffing shortages and organizational strain. This qualitative case study examined multifaceted factors within the contemporary policing environment, with an emphasis on socio-political, occupational, and organizational influences. Drawing on an extensive literature review and qualitative data from a semi-structured interview with a local police department recruiter in the Sacramento region, this exploratory case study examined barriers that contribute to declining applicant interest and increased officer attrition nationwide. The findings indicate that, though factors affecting recruitment and retention are interconnected, they constitute distinct organizational priorities towards a comprehensive resolution. Recruitment efforts were primarily affected by negative external perceptions of police and the profession. In contrast, retention challenges were driven by inadequate management of occupational strains, officer work-life balance, and constrained opportunities for career advancement. The study further highlights the critical role of supportive leadership and organizational legitimacy in promoting officer satisfaction and career longevity. The findings underscore the importance of evidence-based, proactive strategies that incorporate transparency and public engagement while simultaneously prioritizing professional reform to support officer wellness, build public trust, and adapt to future trends in recruiting and retaining officers. This study contributes to a progress existing research on law enforcement’s internal and external challenges, provides practical insights from this case study, and offers recommendations for policy development to build and maintain an effective law enforcement workforce.