August 23, 2025

Phoenix Police Chief Aims to Expand Force to 3,000 Officers

News Summary

Phoenix Police Chief Matt Giordano is working to increase the police force from 2,600 to 3,000 officers, a figure not reached since 2015. Following his appointment, applications for police positions have doubled, prompting the department to enhance recruitment processes. While ensuring strict hiring standards, the Chief believes the rising interest among young individuals in law enforcement will help achieve this goal within the next couple of years. The ambitious recruitment plan comes amid broader trends of workforce shortages and rising crime rates in law enforcement across the U.S.

Phoenix – The newly appointed Phoenix Police Chief, Matt Giordano, is actively working to expand the city’s police force from its current strength of approximately 2,600 officers to 3,000. This target has not been achieved since around 2015, and Giordano aims to bolster officer ranks amid a backdrop of increased community demand for police services.

Since Giordano’s arrival in Phoenix, there has been a noticeable surge in interest for police positions, with applications reportedly doubling. In response to this rise in applications, the police department is implementing measures to backfill positions and process candidates more efficiently. Recent visits to the Phoenix Regional Police Academy revealed class sizes for new recruits ranging from 30 to 38 individuals, fostering optimism for the department’s future recruitment efforts.

As the city makes strides to increase the number of police officers, Chief Giordano emphasizes the importance of maintaining strict hiring standards. The department requires all applicants to be at least 20 and a half years old, a U.S. citizen, and to have met the criteria outlined by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board. This vetting process is thorough; eligible applicants must undergo an extensive background check, aptitude test, polygraph examination, as well as psychological and medical evaluations. This comprehensive hiring process typically spans two to three months.

Once selected, recruits are enrolled in a rigorous 26-week training program at the police academy, with sessions beginning every six weeks. Upon graduating from the academy, recruits progress to a 17-week field training program, where they gain practical experience before they are allowed to patrol independently.

Chief Giordano has expressed confidence in achieving the goal of 3,000 officers within the next couple of years. He believes the increased interest among younger individuals to join the police force will contribute to reaching this aim. The significant rise in applications signals a shift in public sentiment, potentially fueling the department’s ability to fill necessary positions more swiftly.

The context behind this recruitment effort reflects a broader trend observed in law enforcement across the United States, where many departments are experiencing challenges related to workforce shortages amid rising crime rates. Giordano’s focused approach on hiring qualified applicants who embody the right mentality and personality serves as a foundation for building a robust police force capable of effectively serving the Phoenix community.

With the department’s commitment to rigorous hiring standards, the recruitment process is designed not only to increase officer numbers but also to ensure that only those with the right qualifications and mindset are accepted into the force. Chief Giordano’s efforts align with sustained community expectations for a safe and responsive police presence, underscoring the critical role law enforcement plays in maintaining public safety.

As the Phoenix Police Department continues on this path towards expansion, the community will be watching closely to see how effective these strategies are in reaching the targeted goal of 3,000 officers, a milestone that would mark a significant achievement in the ongoing development of local law enforcement.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER

PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.

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