How the St. Louis University Public Safety Department Maintains Low Officer Attrition Rates
Description
Low attrition rates are always a goal for police and public safety departments, but various factors have made that particularly difficult in recent years. A 2023 study found police resignations increased 47% from 2019 to 2022. Retirements also rose by 19% during the same period, and new officer hiring dropped by 5%.
Despite these statistics, St. Louis University's Public Safety Department has its lowest attrition rate in years. During this interview, Associate Vice President and Chief Melinda Heikkinen, a 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year finalist, discusses the methods she uses to keep attrition low (5:13 ), as well as:
- How she improved the school's safety app (0:39 and 3:17 )
- How the department ensures safety protocols are sensitive to the needs of all students, particularly those from marginalized communities (1:51 )
NOTE: The 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year winners will be announced at this summer’s national Campus Safety Conference, happening July 21-23 in Austin. Visit https://campussafetyconference.com/ for more information.
CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazine
- X: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMag
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMag
- LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305
- YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine
CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazine
- X: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMag
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMag
- LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305
- YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine
United States
