Staffing shortages at APD persist, with more than 330 vacancies for sworn officers

Austin police respond to a call in July 2023. (KXAN/Frank Martinez photo)

AUSTIN (KXAN) — There are about 330 vacancies for sworn officers in the Austin Police Department, according to data from the Austin Police Department.

This is a slight decrease from APD’s second-quarter report, which noted 342 vacancies for sworn officers.

During a Public Safety Commission meeting Monday, APD Chief of Staff Jeff Greenwalt said the department’s staffing problems continue. APD has 463 vacancies in sworn, civilian and civilian emergency communications positions, according to its third-quarter report.

The Downtown Command had the highest staffing rate of all command areas under APD jurisdiction, at approximately 80% (updated June 24).

This is followed by the Central Area Command with approximately 66% of its posts manned, the Northern Patrol with approximately 57% manned and the Northwest Patrol with approximately 56%.

The areas with the lowest staffing levels are the eastern patrols, where the rate is around 55%, and the southern patrols, where the rate is around 54%.

Greenwalt said APD expects about 115 to 120 cadets to earn the rank of officer trainee in 2024. Twenty-five cadets graduated in January, 39 in April and 58 are scheduled to graduate in September.

“This could be the first year since 2019 that we lose more officers than we lose,” he said.

The staffing boost could also help improve response times, which have been three to four minutes longer than the department’s 10-minute goal over the past three months, Greenwalt said.