Staffing Study

Consultation Service Options

Make Evidence-Informed Staffing Decisions

Align Your Resources with Real Workload Demands

Determining the right number of officers for police agencies isn’t just about benchmarks or outdated ratios. It’s about understanding the real needs of your community and allocating resources effectively. At the National Policing Institute, we provide data-driven police staffing studies designed to empower law enforcement agencies, improve operational efficiency, and enhance public safety.

Learn How a Staffing Study Can Help Your Agency
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What is a Staffing Study?

A staffing study—also referred to as a workload analysis—helps your agency evaluate whether current staffing aligns with demand. Too many departments rely on outdated standards, like “officers per 1,000 residents.” But communities are unique, and their needs are constantly evolving. A staffing study from NPI uses your agency's actual call volumes, response times, and workload data to provide tailored recommendations for optimizing staffing levels. 

Our staffing studies help your agency:

  • Understand workload distribution across patrol, investigative, and support staff
  • Improve resource allocation to enhance response times and service delivery
  • Justify new officer staffing requests to city councils and decision-makers with credible, data-backed analysis
  • Optimize efficiency, morale, and team wellness by addressing workload imbalances in your police force

Key Benefits

Staffing Key Benefit 1

Clear, data-backed staffing projections tailored to your agency’s unique needs.

Staffing Key Benefit 2

Baseline metrics to guide future planning and performance tracking.

Staffing Key Benefit 3

Enhanced ability to justify staffing requests to decision-makers and the public.

Staffing Key Benefit 4

Opportunities to improve efficiency and staff morale by addressing workload imbalances.

Why Agencies Choose NPI?

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Specialized Expertise

Our team includes former law enforcement officers and researchers who understand the unique police recruitment challenges agencies face.

Proven Methods

Using established workload-based methodologies, we deliver actionable results with accuracy and reliability to police services everywhere.

Custom Approach

Every study is designed to meet your agency’s size, structure, and community characteristics for maximum relevance and impact.

How it works

Most data quality assessments are completed within 2 to 6 months, depending on the agency’s responsiveness and the complexity of the systems involved.

Discovery

We begin with an in-depth consultation to understand your agency's goals. Next, we conduct data collection and analyze key information like call volumes and time spent on tasks.

Engagement & Analysis

Through focus groups, interviews, and advanced mapping techniques, we create a comprehensive picture of your agency’s current operations and community needs.

Delivery & Follow-up

You’ll receive a clear, detailed report with actionable recommendations for both your hiring process and the total number of sworn officers you need in your workforce. Our team will walk you through the findings and consult on next steps.

What Makes NPI's Staffing Study Unique?

Unlike generic methods, we go beyond traditional benchmarks to analyze data like:

  • Geospatial deployment of patrol officers for maximum response efficiency  
  • Relief factors to ensure you know precisely how many full-time sworn personnel are needed for 24/7 coverage
  • Time on task metrics, showing how officers spend their time across different types of calls (i.e., emergency vs. non-emergency, violent crime vs. non-violent crime)

Our approach doesn’t just improve staffing levels; it drives better outcomes and outreach for your entire department.

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"I want to extend my sincere appreciation to you and the entire National Policing Institute team for the exceptional work and support provided to the Ferguson Police Department during our staffing and workload study. From the very beginning, Dr. Colby Dolly was instrumental in shaping the direction of this project. His background in law enforcement and familiarity with the demographics and geography of Ferguson brought an added layer of insight and credibility that we deeply valued. Having someone who not only understands policing but also understands our community made a meaningful difference in how the process was framed and executed."

Colonel Troy Doyle

Ferguson Police Department

Learn How a Staffing Study Can Help Your Agency

An evidence-backed staffing plan is critical for meeting your community’s policing needs while supporting your department’s efficiency and morale. Whether you're experiencing a staffing crisis, tackling retention challenges, or seeking to enhance community policing response times, the National Policing Institute is here to help. 

If your agency is looking to align staffing with community needs, NPI’s Staffing Study can provide the clarity and support you need for effective crime prevention planning.

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