In this episode, Travis Yates and Doug Larsen share why relying too heavily on lateral recruiting may be hurting, not helping, law enforcement agencies. They break down the limitations of chasing already-employed officers and explain why a balanced strategy, including new recruits, is essential for long-term staffing success. If your agency is focusing only on laterals to solve a recruitment crisis, this episode offers a candid reality check and smarter alternatives.
Police Laterals: The Good, Bad & Ugly
More Podcasts
The Los Angeles Police Department is in the middle of a recruiting and staffing crisis. Despite years of efforts and millions spent on marketing, the agency remains at its lowest staffing in 30+ years. On this episode of Staffing The Mission, Travis Yates and Doug Larsen discuss the history of
This is part two of our five-year podcast special. In this episode, we break down why massive overtime budgets are a warning sign that staffing systems are failing, not a long-term fix. We lay out the numbers behind cost per hire, explain why hiring bonuses often don’t change outcomes, and
At the 2026 PLECET Conference, Safeguard Recruiting participated as an industry expert in law enforcement recruiting, alongside Maureen Q. McGough, 30x30 co-founder, and Dr. Joseph Schafer. In this episode, Travis Yates discusses the conference, the training, and the big takeaway after speaking with hundreds of law enforcement agencies.