FPC reports surge in applicants, explores ‘signing day’ and PRT prep after 2025 gains

FPC staff told the testing and recruiting committee on Jan. 18 that recruitment totals rose in 2025 to just over 1,800 applicants and that recent advertising coincided with notable spikes in recruitment batches (examples: 445, 619 and 740 applicants in three testing periods).

"We had just over 1,800 total for the year," the director said, and staff described an increase in weekly applications after Safeguard Recruiting began an ad campaign. The commission discussed an aspirational goal of filling three recruit classes of 65 but noted that achieving that in the current environment would be challenging.

To reduce attrition during the post‑background/pre‑appointment interval, staffing services manager Mollie Kiefer Veil described a proposed ‘‘signing day’’ or ‘‘badge bound’’ event: a public commitment celebration for candidates who complete background checks and are awaiting academy start dates. Staff said the event could include family participation, photos, certificates, and brief speeches to strengthen candidate commitment.

Research analyst Barbara Cooley presented demographic breakdowns showing high written pass rates but a consistent drop on the PRT, particularly for female applicants. Cooley reported PRT pass rates for women as low as about 15% in one class and said staff plan to continue fit camps and PRT practice sessions to improve preparedness.

Staff also noted they met Act 12 maintenance‑of‑effort requirements for 2025 and discussed the timing and use of COPS grant positions (current grant funding ends in March, and an unused 2024 award could supply additional funded slots). Next steps include circulating recruitment‑process communication materials and continuing fit camps, while staff will finalize the signing‑day plan and invite commissioners to attend.