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Arlington County police enter 2026 facing a stubborn shortage of 70 officers, but a new region-leading starting salary and a recently graduated academy class could help the department begin rebuilding its ranks.

The department’s authorized strength is 377 sworn officers, supported by approximately 100 civilian employees. Despite years of reduced staffing, Chief Andy Penn said personnel maintained service by working additional hours and overtime throughout 2025.

Penn identified hiring as the department’s central challenge. ACPD accepts only about 2.5% to 4% of applicants as it seeks candidates likely to succeed on the force.

A class of 20 recruits recently graduated from the Police Academy and is expected to become operational around November. Preparing a new officer takes nearly a year, including 22 weeks at the academy, three weeks of localized instruction and additional field training.

Beginning July 1, the starting salary for an Arlington police officer will rise to $90,000—the highest in the region. Penn sees the increase as an opportunity to fill vacancies and restore programs constrained by limited staffing.

The department’s 2026 plans center on four priorities: preventing crime and holding offenders accountable; improving transportation safety for motorists, cyclists and scooter riders; expanding community engagement; and supporting employee wellness, career development and leadership training.

Transportation efforts will combine enforcement and education with automated tools, including Arlington’s new PhotoSPEED program around school zones. Penn noted that officers cannot be everywhere at once, making automated enforcement another part of the county’s safety strategy.

ACPD will continue operating below full strength while new officers complete training and recruitment continues. Until all vacancies are filled, Penn said the department will look for effective and efficient ways to maintain public safety.

Established on Feb. 1, 1940, with nine officers, ACPD has grown into a department tasked with reducing crime and helping people throughout Arlington live safely and without fear.