SYNOPSIS This Winter 2024 study, conducted by our researchers at the University of Arizona and funded by the Arizona Board of Regents’ Technology and Research Initiative Fund, examined recruitment patterns for law enforcement and firefighting positions across six western states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah), employing a sophisticated choice-based conjoint experimental design to understand job preferences. The research surveyed 6,855 participants (31.35% from Arizona) not currently employed as law enforcement officers (LEOs) / firefighters, using randomized job offer scenarios that varied position type, salary, pension requirements, retirement age, and housing stipends.
Key findings include:
- Initial interest was low, with 48% having no interest in LEO careers and 51% disinterested in firefighting
- 29% of respondents were likely to accept public safety positions when presented with hypothetical offers
- Salary significantly impacted acceptance rates: $60K (42%) vs $70K (60%)
- Housing stipends had strong effects: no stipend (36%) vs $10K stipend (63%)
- Public perception varied notably: LEOs faced more scrutiny while firefighters maintained consistent positive support
- Top motivators were helping people (44-46%) and job security
- Main deterrents were personal danger (63%) and job stress (59%)
Our full report is available here.