Durham Strategic Plan Dashboard
Prosperity
Status Indicator: 
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Complete/Ongoing
Initiative: 2.31 Establish innovative recruitment pathways
Creating a Safer Community Together
Description
The goal of this initiative is to explore innovative strategies for enhancing recruitment efforts within the Durham Police Department, Fire Department, and Emergency Communications Department. Given the critical need for staff across these essential public safety functions and the rising attrition rates, recruitment has become increasingly crucial. To maintain the highest standard of community response, it is imperative that we strengthen our recruitment and hiring efforts across all public safety departments to ensure the continued successful achievement of operational objectives and the safety of our community.
Key Measures & Data Analysis
Continual recruitment of public safety personnel is important for maintaining adequate staffing levels, ensuring a rapid response to emergencies, and building a diverse force that reflects the community. This recruitment effort supports proactive public safety, enhances trust, and fosters community relationships, ultimately contributing to a safer Durham for all.
Submitted Police Recruitment Applications
Why is it important?
Recruiting new personnel for the Durham Police Department, Fire Department, and Emergency Communications Department is essential for creating a safer and more resilient community. Maintaining adequate staffing levels across these public safety departments enables effective law enforcement, fire response, and emergency communications services. A diverse and well-staffed workforce supports community engagement strategies, fostering trust, cooperation, and collaboration with residents. Increased recruitment also allows staff across all departments to engage with the community and build relationships, improving visibility, availability, and responsiveness. Additionally, succession planning and adaptability to evolving public safety demands ensure these departments remain well-prepared, trustworthy, and capable of meeting the community’s needs both now and in the future.
What have we been doing?
DPD, DFD, and the 911 Center have each launched creative, multi-channel recruitment campaigns to grow their applicant pools — with particular focus on increasing visibility in underrepresented communities and building long-term talent pipelines.
Key activities include:
• DPD: Launching billboards, bus ads, and a Recruitment Video; initiating RUNDPD monthly races; and beginning the 62nd Police Academy.
• DFD: Implementing an employee referral incentive; running 60+ recruitment events with 680 new candidate contacts; launching JoinDurhamFD and the Bull City Bravest Podcast; establishing the Fire Explorers and Durham Fire Cadets pipeline; and launching the Fire Cadet Program.
• 911 Center: Hosting multiple job fairs and career events; launching an Automatic Call-back system with AT&T; and partnering with DPS for a Rising Stars Internship Program.
What's next?
Efforts to expand applicant pipelines and diversify recruitment channels will continue through the following activities:
• DPD Outreach Expansion – Continuing billboards, Spanish Radio Ads, RUNDPD, Lateral Officer recruitment, bus ads, and the College POPAT program; completing the 62nd Academy and starting the 63rd.
• DFD Pipeline Development – Continuing the Cadet Program, making the referral incentive permanent, conducting Agility Testing, and rehiring former City firefighters.
• 911 School and Campus Outreach – Partnering with DPS high schools for Career Fairs, expanding social media reach, and launching the DPS Rising Stars Internship Program.
City Website Home Page: Durham, NC | Official Website (durhamnc.gov)
Budget Website Page: Budget & Management Services Department | Durham, NC (durhamnc.gov)
Budget and Management Services Department
Office of Performance and Innovation
Strategy and Performance Division