AFPI Releases “Back the Blue,” a Policy Roadmap to Strengthen America’s Law Enforcement Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) released Back the Blue: A Policy Roadmap for Better-Staffed, Better-Supported Law Enforcement, a new policy paper examining America’s law enforcement staffing crisis and outlining solutions for recruiting, retaining, and supporting law enforcement officers around the country.

The paper addresses the looming crisis of law enforcement officer shortages, highlighting data showing how police departments across the country are facing major staffing shortfalls driven by retirements, resignations, recruitment challenges, burnout, compensation disparities, and burdensome hiring processes.

Despite record-low levels of crime under President Trump’s leadership, officer vacancies present a major public safety concern. AFPI’s ‘Back the Blue' policy paper outlines suggestions for policymakers to ensure safe and protected communities.

‘Back the Blue' emphasizes that supporting law enforcement is not simply about hiring more officers—it’s about building stable, professional, experienced departments that are able to properly keep communities safe.

AFPI’s Director of American Justice Policy Greg Glod weighs in on the recommendations included in this paper:

"America's law enforcement officers have carried a heavier load than ever over the past five years, and the recent drops in violent crime are a testament to their work. This paper gives policymakers at every level a concrete roadmap to meet that effort with the pay, staffing, and support this profession has earned. The recommendations in the paper are built on the strategies states and cities are already using to fill their ranks and drive crime down."

Read the full policy paper: Back the Blue: A Policy Roadmap for Better-Staffed, Better-Supported Law Enforcement here.