The Center For Public Safety

Apopka, FL Police Staffing Study

Apopka, Florida is a charming city nestled in the heart of Florida, just 17 miles northwest of Orlando. Surrounded by sparkling lakes and lush greenery, Apopka offers a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. With its vibrant downtown, diverse community, and abundance of outdoor activities, Apopka is a delightful destination for families, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking a laid-back lifestyle.

CPS was retained to conduct a staffing study for the Apopka Police Department. Apopka is a city experiencing rapid growth in population and in geographic size due to an aggressive annexation policy by the Mayor and Council. The city doubles in size and population roughly every four years. This growth made it critical for the department and the city’s decision makers to adequately plan for growth in the police department, especially in the critical areas of patrol, criminal investigations and communications. Apopka also handles call taking and dispatch for all city functions as well as two adjacent municipalities. 

A thorough examination of the department’s organization chart and roster together with the services offered in the community allowed CPS to pinpoint where personnel growth in the department would be needed and when. The proprietary algorithms enabled CPS to make projections of how many people would be needed in each unit and when these people would be needed. 

This allows the department and the city to plan accordingly in future budgets for the staff necessary to meet the future demand for services as the city is expected to grow over time.

Staffing Study Excerpts

Anticipated Future Staffing Needs

Anticipated Future Staffing Needs

The single largest driver of change in Apopka police personnel over the next twenty years will be the exponential population growth the community will experience through annexations, infill and changes in population density.

More people and additional geographic areas to cover will drive increases in police personnel in three key areas:

• Field Services or commonly known as patrol
• Support Services or investigations
• Communications or the 911 call center

Staffing Study Methodology

Staffing Study Methodology

Our formula for understanding the current need for a field services or patrol division.

Investigations Projections

Investigations Projections

Factors used to create the projections: 

• Population will drive the number of 911 calls
• The number of 911 will drive the number of cases
• The number of total cases will drive the number of investigations staff