Public safety departments show progress in recruitment efforts
Austin Monitor
Austin’s public safety departments are making progress in recruitment and diversity efforts. The Austin Police Department (APD) is expanding outreach to historically Black colleges and universities, as well as regions like New York, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico. APD has also pledged to increase female officer representation to 30% by 2030. The Austin Fire Department is countering a decline in applicants with targeted social media campaigns and youth engagement programs. Meanwhile, Austin-Travis County EMS is focusing on recruiting EMT-certified candidates through career fairs, partnerships with HBCUs, and educational programs at Austin Community College. These efforts aim to diversify and strengthen the city’s public safety workforce.