CPS chief has reported a significant decrease in the number of applicants

By Hilary Kolback Calgary's police chief has reported a significant decrease in the number of applicants for police recruit positions, attributing this trend to the current allure of the field and stiff competition from other law enforcement agencies.

During the annual update to the Community Development Committee on April 16, Chief Mark Neufeld addressed council members, indicating that recruitment challenges are becoming increasingly pertinent as they assess departmental capacities within the Calgary Police Service (CPS). "The issues of recruitment and retention are critical in a large city," Chief Neufeld noted. "It's essential for us to maintain our resources to ensure we can provide services now and in the future." He responded to inquiries from Ward 5 Councillor Raj Dhaliwal, who expressed concerns regarding data usage and whether frontline policing is adequately staffed. Dhaliwal highlighted that three of the top ten crime hotspots are located in the northeast, which also experiences among the highest population growth in Calgary. "I want to clarify how we are ensuring proper policing in these growing areas," Dhaliwal asked. Neufeld acknowledged that capacity presents a challenge, particularly in Ward 5, where incidents are often more complicated, involving weapons offenses or domestic issues, as opposed to social disorder prevalent in areas like District 1 (downtown).
"We need to have the ability to respond proactively to these challenges. Capacity is indeed one of our largest concerns," he stated. Decline in Applications Noted, but Some Still Coming In: Responding to questions about recruitment difficulties, Neufeld suggested that decreased interest in policing among younger generations may be contributing to the drop in application numbers.
 "The decline in applications seems partly linked to shifts in career interests; young people today often gravitate towards technology-related jobs," he explained. "While there are technological roles within policing, the appeal of shift work may be less enticing." In 2024, civilian recruitment fell by 23% compared to the previous year, and overall applications completed amounted to 644, reflecting a 22% decrease, as reported in the CPS annual report. Neufeld also pointed to the responsibilities and scrutiny faced by police officers as potential deterrents for applicants. "The prevailing negative discourse surrounding policing, coupled with the pressure of accountability—like wearing body cameras—may discourage some individuals," he noted. "I believe some people might feel that this career isn't suitable for them." Despite recent fluctuations, applicant levels have remained consistent with previous years. In response, CPS is enlarging recruitment classes to ensure that all applicants can commence paid training this year. The CPS application process, regulated at the provincial level, consists of a 12-step pre-hire requirement that can take up to a year to complete before applicants enter academy training. Neufeld further emphasized strong competition for the limited pool of candidates, noting that many potential recruits are already employed in other law enforcement roles, such as transit sheriffs, loss prevention officers, and the RCMP. With Alberta considering the establishment of an independent police agency as an alternative to the RCMP, the demand for recruitment remains high. "We're discussing the new independent police service that the province is planning to create," Neufeld remarked. "There are only so many candidates available within our recruitment pool."