In recent years, we’ve seen a shift in the public perception of policing and criminal justice, as well as changes in both the day-to-day tactics and long-term strategies of law enforcement agencies. Conversations about police accountability and oversight continue, and new advances in technology and its complex interaction with the criminal justice system are having an impact.

In this article, we outline some of the key trends in policing in 2024 and how they may impact the job, recruiting, and criminal justice as a whole.

1. Police hiring increases and challenges

As we noted in our previous article about law enforcement challenges, the recruitment and retention of police officers is a significant concern for agencies. In a 2021 survey conducted by the Police Executive Research Forum, agencies reported an 18% increase in resignations and a 45% increase in retirements, with respondents citing reasons such as pandemic fatigue and negativity surrounding the profession as their reasons.

Findings from an updated version of same PERF survey published three years later in 2024 were encouraging:

• For the first time since the start of the pandemic, law enforcement agencies reported a year-over-year increase in total sworn officers.
• Agencies reported hiring more sworn officers in 2023 than in any of the previous four years.
• Small and medium agencies employed more sworn officers in 2023 than they did in January 2020.

As reported by the Associated Press, some individual agencies are still experiencing staffing challenges while the national numbers improve. Small and medium agencies are in better overall shape, but employment in large departments – despite an increase in 2023 – is still 5% below where it was in January 2020. Additionally, departments with fewer than 50 officers are still struggling with high rates of resignations and retirements.

2. A continued push for community policing

One potential approach to dealing with public perception, staffing issues and improving outcomes is a concept called “community policing.” This approach stands in contrast to one which isolates officers from the neighborhood, city or region which they patrol, potentially fostering a negative perception about their role. Additionally, growing scrutiny over the issue of residency has led some to believe officers will not have a stake in the safety of an area where they don’t have personal connections.

Community policing is an attempt to ameliorate these issues by giving community leaders, businesses and residents a chance to voice their concerns directly to police officers both on the beat and in public meetings. Having this approach can also help departments marshal resources that make sense for their neighborhood or city, avoiding an escalatory approach and instead creating accountability and dialogue with the public.

3. Incorporating AI and automation into police work

The proliferation of a set of machine learning tools that has been dubbed “AI” is also leading to changes in the way that police officers work and complete tasks. Although it’s currently unclear how effective AI is at more complicated tasks, it is already being used to automate repetitive work, combing through datasets, and allowing police departments to detect possible patterns in criminal activity and respond accordingly. The wealth of personal and surveillance data collected by cameras, sensors and other tools across government departments makes these tools potentially powerful predictors of illegal activity.

However, the adoption of this technology will likely not be a simple process, nor should it be. As with any new technology, learning to use it effectively and ethically, knowing the limitations, and also understanding the legality of using such tools will be essential for law enforcement in the future. As these issues progress, police officers will have a major role in shaping the way these tools are used.

4. Drug decriminalization and changing priorities

The efforts by local and state lawmakers to decriminalize certain narcotics is another trend impacting major portions of the law enforcement world, especially in certain regions. While the reasons and details are diverse, for many officers, this will mean a new approach which focuses on directing people who use drugs to treatment and other community resources and which deemphasizes a punitive approach. These changes are even happening at the federal level, signaling a potential shift in the now half century long war on drugs.

This new approach requires updating training and enforcement procedures, giving officers tools to interact with people who use drugs in a way that aligns with the goals of decriminalization and harm mitigation. The effectiveness of these new procedures may be lacking in some cases, so this is an area in which policymakers and law enforcement leaders will be working to find ways to improve.

Studying Criminal Justice at CSU

Just like keeping up with industry trends, education is also important for law enforcement officers. Here at Columbia Southern University, our criminal justice degree programs are designed to help you understand the issues facing law enforcement today.

To learn more about our online criminal justice degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree levels – including concentrations in topics such as arson investigation, criminology and forensics – visit our website.

Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.