Childcare is a significant barrier to recruiting and retaining an elite, reliable, resilient, and community-oriented law enforcement workforce. Let's fix that together.
Donatechildcare for law enforcement
The National Law Enforcement Foundation (NLEF) works at all levels of philanthropy and government to cut through the childcare funding bureaucracy.
Law enforcement agencies nationwide are facing an unprecedented staffing crisis, yet bureaucratic hurdles continue to stand in the way of real solutions. The National Law Enforcement Foundation (NLEF) is committed to breaking through these barriers—educating at every level of philanthropy and government to ensure agencies have the support they need to recruit and retain officers.
The urgency is clear: From 2019 to 2023, police departments serving large cities saw an alarming 80% decline in staff. 70% of law enforcement leaders report that recruitment is more difficult now than it was five years ago. Staffing shortages have forced 65% of agencies to reduce services or eliminate specialized units.
One major, yet often overlooked, obstacle is childcare. A recent survey of a major metropolitan police department revealed that 59% of officers have left or missed work due to childcare challenges, and one in five have considered leaving the profession altogether. Without action, these numbers will continue to rise.
NLEF drives change by funding and creating tailored childcare and early education programs for law enforcement families. The future of policing depends on removing unnecessary obstacles—ensuring childcare is not a barrier but a bridge to a stronger, more sustainable law enforcement workforce.
The urgency is clear: From 2019 to 2023, police departments serving large cities saw an alarming 80% decline in staff. 70% of law enforcement leaders report that recruitment is more difficult now than it was five years ago. Staffing shortages have forced 65% of agencies to reduce services or eliminate specialized units.
One major, yet often overlooked, obstacle is childcare. A recent survey of a major metropolitan police department revealed that 59% of officers have left or missed work due to childcare challenges, and one in five have considered leaving the profession altogether. Without action, these numbers will continue to rise.
NLEF drives change by funding and creating tailored childcare and early education programs for law enforcement families. The future of policing depends on removing unnecessary obstacles—ensuring childcare is not a barrier but a bridge to a stronger, more sustainable law enforcement workforce.
Child care in law enforcement must be a priority to make policing accessible to all.
law enforcement is in crisis
America’s traditional childcare services need to meet the needs of the modern workforce and the unique needs of law enforcement.
Current accessibility and affordability obstruct law enforcement families from utilizing traditional childcare centers. The lack of affordable, flexible, and quality childcare impacts our economy and society. And when it keeps cops off the streets, it even affects our safety.
78%
of agencies reported having difficulty in recruiting qualified candidates
65%
of agencies reported having too few candidates applying to be law enforcement officers
75%
of agencies reported that recruiting is more difficult today than it was five years ago
50%
of agencies reported having to change agency policies in order to increase the chances of gaining qualified applicants
25%
of agencies reported having to reduce or eliminate certain agency services, units, or positions because of staffing difficulties
Less than
13%
of full-time police officers in the U.S. are women.
1 in 5
officers consider leaving their jobs altogether because of childcare stresses.
59%
of officers reported leaving or missing work because of childcare concerns.
Restoring Respect for Law Enforcement: A Bold Plan to Strengthen America's Police
For too long, policing has been demoralized, defunded, and disrespected, and the result has been nothing short of a national crisis. Morale has plummeted, retirements and resignations have skyrocketed, and strong, capable officers—both men and women—can't be promoted. Recruitment and retention numbers are in freefall, which means our communities are less safe.
NLEF is taking action. We recognize the tremendous challenges facing modern police agencies, and we're launching unprecedented initiatives to restore pride in the profession, rebuild our workforce, and give officers the tools they need to succeed. We must recruit and retain the best men and women in uniform to keep America safe. But that won't happen if we keep doing things the old, broken way.
That's why we're implementing fundamental, measurable, police-led reforms not weak, feel-good policies, but bold, results-driven strategies. We need to cut through red tape, eliminate barriers, and make policing a career that top talent aspires to once again.
One major issue we are tackling head-on is childcare. Officers should never have to choose between protecting their communities and taking care of their families. Childcare must be a priority not an afterthought so that policing is accessible, sustainable, and a profession of strength
Learn more about the issuesFor too long, policing has been demoralized, defunded, and disrespected, and the result has been nothing short of a national crisis. Morale has plummeted, retirements and resignations have skyrocketed, and strong, capable officers—both men and women—can't be promoted. Recruitment and retention numbers are in freefall, which means our communities are less safe.
NLEF is taking action. We recognize the tremendous challenges facing modern police agencies, and we're launching unprecedented initiatives to restore pride in the profession, rebuild our workforce, and give officers the tools they need to succeed. We must recruit and retain the best men and women in uniform to keep America safe. But that won't happen if we keep doing things the old, broken way.
That's why we're implementing fundamental, measurable, police-led reforms not weak, feel-good policies, but bold, results-driven strategies. We need to cut through red tape, eliminate barriers, and make policing a career that top talent aspires to once again.
One major issue we are tackling head-on is childcare. Officers should never have to choose between protecting their communities and taking care of their families. Childcare must be a priority not an afterthought so that policing is accessible, sustainable, and a profession of strength
who we are and what we do
We are not simply providing childcare or tax credits. We are overhauling the accessibility and affordability of childcare through representation, legislation, and fundraising.
Accessibility
Childcare facilities exclusively for law enforcement with extended hours that supports shift work and holidays
Affordability
Half the market-rate of tuition and 20% pay increase for teachers
partnership
A coalition of philanthropic, corporate, and public leaders aligned to support and improve law enforcement
success stories
The National Law Enforcement Foundation cuts through the childcare funding bureaucracy to assist agencies in accessing the resources to create their childcare program to address the recruiting and retention crisis impacting every city and state in the country.
Learn about our national effortsWe're bringing childcare to law enforcement all across the nation.
Click on a location to learn more about our efforts to create coalitions and educate law enforcement leaders and elected officials that there is a model that NLEF customizes to bring childcare and early childhood education funding to law enforcement agencies.
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