NYPD Claims Record Hiring Amid Union's Exodus Concerns

A Record Year for NYPD Hiring

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has announced a record year for hiring new officers, with over 4,000 fresh recruits sworn in on Wednesday. This move comes as a direct response to concerns raised by police union leaders about the ongoing exodus of cops from the department.

According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the number of New York City cops in uniform now stands at nearly 35,000, the highest level since May 2022. During the swearing-in ceremony, Tisch addressed the new officers, saying:

“Today marks a defining moment in your lives and a historic moment for the NYPD.”

She added that with 1,142 new recruits entering the police academy on that day, the NYPD has now hired more than 4,000 officers this year, making it the largest hiring year on record. Tisch emphasized that this achievement directly contradicts the narrative that policing is in decline.

“That matters because there are people who would have you believe that policing is a profession in retreat,” she said. “Let me be clear, that narrative is wrong.”

The 4,056 cops hired this year surpassed the previous record of 3,902 set in 1984, according to police data. In comparison, only 2,632 cops were hired last year, and 1,978 in 2019.

However, despite these impressive numbers, some concerns remain. The Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the city’s largest union representing NYPD cops, argues that officers are still leaving the force in large numbers.

More than 3,400 of New York’s Finest have quit or retired over the last 12 months, partially offsetting the historic gains, according to the PBA. PBA President Patrick Hendry stated:

“There was a time when recruits entered the academy planning to wear our uniform for their entire career. Today, too many of our recruits are viewing the NYPD as a stepping stone to a better law enforcement job, one with a more manageable work load.”

In response, Tisch refuted these claims, stating that 3,228 officers had actually left the force this year. She also noted that, including Wednesday’s new recruits, hiring for 2025 stood at 4,063, resulting in an 800-person net gain.

Prior to the new recruits being sworn in, the PBA reported a deficit of about 500 cops in the ranks over the past 12 months due to retirements and resignations. Hendry claimed that an average of 285 cops have quit the force every month since December 2024.

“In addition to getting recruits in the door, our city leaders need to work with us to keep them on the job,” he said.

The NYPD has been experiencing a significant loss of officers in recent years, losing more than 15,000 rank-and-file officers since 2020. In 2025, only 8,000 prospective recruits applied to join the force, compared to 18,000 in 2017, according to officials.

To address this issue, NYPD brass has been working to fill the department’s dwindling ranks throughout the year. In February, Tisch lowered the college credit requirements while reinstating a mandatory 1.5-mile run for recruits. In October, the department launched a new “Back the Blue” recruitment drive, which included a more aggressive advertising campaign.

Tisch stated that the recruitment efforts are showing results. She also mentioned that expected retirements are accounted for in the department’s planning.

“The NYPD did not experience an unexpected or extreme wave of departures in 2025,” she said. “Retirements this year were exactly what we projected based on the 3,700 officers that we hired 20 years ago in 2005.”

She added, “More importantly, despite what critics say, the number of people leaving the department before they are eligible for their full pension is down by more than 40% since 2022. In fact, this year we’re outpacing attrition by more than 800 officers.”