NYPD steps up ‘Back the Blue’ recruitment drive after losing 14K cops in 5 years: ‘Rebuilding our ranks’
NYPD brass is hoping a new “Back the Blue” ad blitz will replenish the ranks of New York’s Finest. Matthew McDermott
The NYPD is intensifying efforts to replenish its dwindling ranks with a major recruitment push announced at this year’s “Back the Blue” ceremony, including a high-profile advertising campaign.
The department has faced significant attrition in recent years, losing more than 14,000 officers since 2020. Officials project nearly 3,500 additional departures this year, while only about 8,000 individuals applied to join—down from 18,000 in 2017.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Tuesday that the department is turning the tide and aims to reach 35,000 uniformed officers by next year, though full staffing levels remain a target. In 2019, the NYPD had 36,000 uniformed officers.
“For all the talk about a staffing crisis, the truth is that we are in the midst of building back—and building back in a big way,” Tisch said. “Our headcount for January 2026 is projected to exceed this year’s, and the momentum is unmistakable. That’s not just a statistic. It is a sign of renewal. We are rebuilding our ranks, renewing the vitality of the NYPD, and showing New Yorkers that the police are not just part of this city—we are the foundation on which it stands.”
This year’s Back the Blue fundraiser will feature an advertising blitz aimed at attracting new recruits. The National Law Enforcement Foundation announced new NYPD ad campaigns, with supermarket magnate and radio personality John Catsimatidis pledging more than $1 million to support recruitment efforts.
“John and Margo Catsimatidis are once again showing their unwavering support for the NYPD,” Tisch said. “Their generosity will directly strengthen our recruitment efforts, helping us find New Yorkers called to serve and reminding them what it means to wear this uniform with pride—at a time when it matters more than ever.”
The department has hired nearly 3,000 new officers since November—the highest number in two decades—and over 2,200 recruits have graduated from the police academy, with another class scheduled before the end of the year. Tisch said the NYPD is on track to surpass the 1984 record of 3,231 recruits, the largest class ever.
Attrition in recent years prompted the NYPD to relax some traditional requirements, such as college credit, to encourage more applications. Last year, The Post reported that roughly 200 officers were leaving the force each month.
Retired NYPD officer and former Senate candidate Michael Sapraicone emphasized the importance of supporting law enforcement at the ceremony. “It’s crucial to understand that without public safety, New York City—and the country—cannot move forward,” he said. “Backing the Blue is about ensuring public safety so we can continue to grow and thrive.”
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