Public Safety Workforce
Building the next generation of public-safety professionals in a tightening labor market.
Arizona’s sheriffs cannot keep communities safe without recruiting, training, and retaining exceptional public safety professionals. Across the state, sheriff’s offices face increasing challenges filling both deputy sheriff and detention officer positions while competing with other public and private employers. Workforce shortages affect patrol response, jail operations, court security, search and rescue, investigations, and every other aspect of public safety.
The Arizona Sheriffs’ Association advocates for policies that strengthen the public safety workforce through competitive compensation, modern retirement systems, professional training, leadership development, officer wellness, and long-term investments that recognize public safety as a profession worthy of sustained support.
What the research shows
Research conducted in partnership with the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association found that detention officer recruitment and retention challenges are driven by compensation, workplace conditions, professional recognition, and retirement benefits. The study concluded that restoring meaningful retirement security, investing in training and career development, and strengthening professional recognition are among the most effective strategies for building and retaining Arizona’s detention workforce.
Retirement benefits remain one of the strongest tools available for recruiting and retaining experienced detention officers. Arizona’s detention leaders consistently identify the transition away from a defined-benefit retirement system as a significant factor contributing to workforce shortages and higher turnover. ASA supports sustainable retirement policies that strengthen long-term recruitment and retention while ensuring counties can maintain experienced, professional detention workforces.
Stand with Arizona’s Sheriffs
Your support of the Arizona Sheriffs' Foundation helps strengthen public safety and invest in communities across our state — supporting search and rescue, youth and community programs, public safety initiatives, and law enforcement personnel and families in times of significant need.
Together, we can give Arizona’s sheriffs additional resources to serve, protect, and strengthen the communities they call home.