Rochester Police Seek to Fill Over 100 Vacancies Before Recruitment Deadline

Department aims to attract diverse Gen-Z applicants as staffing shortages impact law enforcement nationwide

Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:04pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge or handcuffs lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the investigative nature of law enforcement recruitment.As police departments nationwide struggle to fill vacancies, Rochester's targeted recruitment efforts aim to attract a new generation of diverse officers.Rochester Today

The Rochester Police Department is looking to fill more than 100 officer vacancies before a recruitment deadline on Sunday night. The department is focusing on attracting diverse Gen-Z applicants, with a retired San Francisco police officer advising RPD on effective recruitment strategies for younger candidates.

Why it matters

Police departments across the country are facing staffing shortages, and RPD's efforts to fill over 100 open positions highlight the challenges in recruiting and retaining officers, especially from younger generations. Successful recruitment could help RPD better serve the Rochester community.

The details

RPD is aiming to fill over 100 vacancies before the recruitment deadline on Sunday, April 14. The department is working to attract Gen-Z applicants, with advice from retired San Francisco officer Jim Dudley, author of a book on recruiting younger officers. Dudley says RPD recruitment officer Justin Collins is 'really got a cadre of associates in the city of Rochester that are helping these kids along' by showcasing diverse roles and using social media effectively.

  • The recruitment deadline is Sunday, April 14, 2026.
  • The RPD written exam is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026.

The players

Jim Dudley

A retired San Francisco police officer who wrote a book about recruiting Gen-Z police officers.

Justin Collins

An RPD recruitment officer who Dudley says is effectively building relationships with young applicants in Rochester.

Rochester Police Department

The law enforcement agency in Rochester, New York that is seeking to fill over 100 officer vacancies.

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What they’re saying

“He's really got a cadre of associates in the city of Rochester that are helping these kids along. And I say kids, but they're junior high, high school, maybe the first year of college. And he's really building something where he's he is bringing them into the culture. He is showing them the work ethic of being on time, of learning skills and teamwork and all of that.”

— Jim Dudley, Retired San Francisco Police Officer

What’s next

The deadline to register for the RPD written exam is midnight on Sunday, April 14. The exam itself is set for Saturday, May 9.

The takeaway

Rochester's police staffing shortage reflects a nationwide trend, but RPD's targeted recruitment efforts to attract diverse Gen-Z applicants could help the department better serve the community if successful. Effective strategies like leveraging social media and showcasing varied officer roles may be key to overcoming recruitment challenges.