{"id":174512,"date":"2023-03-21T08:33:04","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T15:33:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inbusinessphx.com\/?p=174512"},"modified":"2023-03-21T08:33:04","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T15:33:04","slug":"new-regents-community-grant-addresses-police-firefighter-recruitment-and-retention-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.inbusinessphx.com\/?p=174512","title":{"rendered":"New Regents\u2019 Community Grant Addresses Police, Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Close-up<\/p>\n

Through a new Arizona Board of Regents\u2019 Community Grant, Arizona police and firefighting agencies will be better equipped in the future to address recruitment and retention of officers and firefighters \u2013 a challenge that has prompted statewide workforce shortages for these essential public safety jobs. This is the first Regents\u2019 Community Grant launched by the board; the grants are designed to address community focused challenges in Arizona.<\/p>\n

This grant hits home for Chino Valley Police Department Chief Chuck Wynn whose police force is down about 10 percent, resulting in existing officers working longer shifts and removing officers from specialty units such as the drug task force to work patrol.<\/p>\n

\u201cMoral of existing officers declines as they are overworked \u2026 and it is harder to get them time off,\u201d Wynn said. \u201cOfficers working long shifts are more likely to get into accidents and make poor decisions because they are tired. Call response times increase as there are less officers on the street.\u201d<\/p>\n

Financed through the Technology and Research Initiative Fund (TRIF), the new Regents\u2019 Community Grant, \u201cRetention and Recruitment of Public Safety Personnel<\/a>,\u201d will coalesce research from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona to address these challenges.<\/p>\n

Municipalities, counties and the state are reporting significant challenges in recruitment and retention across the public sector workforce. Members of the public safety community have also expressed concern about current staffing levels and their ability to recruit and retain public safety personnel. These workforce issues can create challenges in effectively providing services to Arizona\u2019s communities. To better define the problem, data is needed to quantify the magnitude of the problem and to identify impacts and potential recommendations.<\/p>\n

\u201cPolice and firefighters are absolutely essential to the safety of Arizona\u2019s communities. It is imperative to examine workforce issues to ensure our state, cities, towns and rural areas remain safe, whether responding to a crime or a house fire. This Regents\u2019 Community Grant offers researchers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on these professions for the welfare of Arizonans in need,\u201d said ABOR Chair Lyndel Manson.<\/p>\n

Through TRIF funds, the board and universities focus on research and workforce development efforts benefiting Arizona. Established through\u00a0Prop.\u00a0301\u00a0and utilizing\u00a0sales tax revenues, TRIF enables vital Regents\u2019 Community and Research Grants as well as research in\u00a0public health, water, national security\u00a0systems, workforce development and\u00a0other key areas\u00a0at Arizona\u2019s public universities.<\/p>\n

\u201cPolice and fire agencies that are not adequately staffed can face increased response times, poor morale and existing personnel taking on more overtime to fill the shortages. Regents\u2019 Community Grants are designed to solve problems facing towns, cities and rural areas throughout our state \u2013 giving Arizona taxpayers a return on their investment and improving our communities,\u201d said Regent Fred DuVal.<\/p>\n

Consider:<\/p>\n