Special Report

Cities With the Most and Least Police

Thomas C. Frohlich

Published: May 15, 2018 11:03 am

Last Updated: January 11, 2020 11:36 pm

The role of police is to maintain order and protect life. To achieve that, close to 1 million police officers in the United States enforce local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Police are a phone call away in nearly every American community. One notable difference between the nation’s many police departments is the vastly different number of police officers employed by each city.

The population of a city goes a long way in determining the number of police employed there. New York City has by far the largest police force, with 36,228 officers and 15,171 civilian department employees. Chicago has the next largest police force with 11,954 officers and 1,181 civilian employees.

Many small cities like Anniston, Alabama or Tukwila, Washington, do not need the same number of officers as a city like New York or Chicago. However, relative to their populations, these cities and others still employ a very large or a very small police force.

24/7 Wall St. analyzed 2016 FBI data for U.S. cities with populations of 20,000 or more. The ranking is based on each city’s police per capita rate measured as the total number of law enforcement employees per 100,000 city residents.

The cities with the most relative number of law enforcement employees range from large cities like New York with about 600 law enforcement workers per 100,000 city residents (fourth most) to relatively small cities like Hammond, Louisiana with 515 law enforcement workers per 100,000 city residents (eighth most). For reference, there are 336 civilians and officers in law enforcement for every 100,000 people nationwide.

Click here to see the cities with the most police.
Click here to see the cities with the least police.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.

Cities With the Most Police Officers

Source: Thomsonsr / Wikimedia Commons

50. Newport, Rhode Island
> Law enforcement employees: 386.3 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 77
> Total civilian employees: 16
> Total population: 24,077
> Violent crime rate: 257.5 per 100,000 people

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Source: Rob Pongsajapan / Flickr

49. Sumter, South Carolina
> Law enforcement employees: 386.6 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 110
> Total civilian employees: 48
> Total population: 40,864
> Violent crime rate: 690.1 per 100,000 people

Source: Bill Smith / Flickr

48. North Augusta, South Carolina
> Law enforcement employees: 386.7 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 62
> Total civilian employees: 26
> Total population: 22,755
> Violent crime rate: 215.3 per 100,000 people

Source: Jonathunder / Wikimedia Commons

47. West Memphis, Arkansas
> Law enforcement employees: 386.8 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 76
> Total civilian employees: 20
> Total population: 24,818
> Violent crime rate: 1,857.5 per 100,000 people

Source: Adam Moss from Highland Park, NJ, United States / Wikimedia Commons

46. Orange, New Jersey
> Law enforcement employees: 387.3 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 97
> Total civilian employees: 21
> Total population: 141,841
> Violent crime rate: 1,122.4 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

45. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
> Law enforcement employees: 387.9 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 1,889
> Total civilian employees: 439
> Total population: 600,193
> Violent crime rate: 1,533.0 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

44. New Haven, Connecticut
> Law enforcement employees: 390.3 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 454
> Total civilian employees: 55
> Total population: 130,425
> Violent crime rate: 934.6 per 100,000 people

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Source: Thinkstock

43. Kansas City, Missouri
> Law enforcement employees: 392.0 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 1,356
> Total civilian employees: 519
> Total population: 151,623
> Violent crime rate: 1,654.6 per 100,000 people

Source: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

42. Charleston, South Carolina
> Law enforcement employees: 392.1 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 430
> Total civilian employees: 100
> Total population: 21,067
> Violent crime rate: 301.9 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

41. Pine Bluff, Arkansas
> Law enforcement employees: 393.4 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 143
> Total civilian employees: 30
> Total population: 43,976
> Violent crime rate: 1,603.1 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

40. Ocala, Florida
> Law enforcement employees: 394.2 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 159
> Total civilian employees: 72
> Total population: 58,596
> Violent crime rate: 790.2 per 100,000 people

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Source: Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA / Wikimedia Commons

39. Alexandria, Louisiana
> Law enforcement employees: 396.4 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 157
> Total civilian employees: 33
> Total population: 155,319
> Violent crime rate: 1,842.0 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

38. Boston, Massachusetts
> Law enforcement employees: 397.4 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 2,125
> Total civilian employees: 553
> Total population: 673,880
> Violent crime rate: 707.4 per 100,000 people

Source: Mike Gonzalez (TheCoffee) / Wikimedia Commons

37. Santa Monica, California
> Law enforcement employees: 398.2 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 204
> Total civilian employees: 170
> Total population: 93,921
> Violent crime rate: 505.7 per 100,000 people

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Source: Thinkstock

36. Farmington, New Mexico
> Law enforcement employees: 399.8 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 131
> Total civilian employees: 38
> Total population: 23,505
> Violent crime rate: 693.2 per 100,000 people

Source: Adam Moss / Flickr

35. Paramus, New Jersey
> Law enforcement employees: 400.6 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 87
> Total civilian employees: 21
> Total population: 26,958
> Violent crime rate: 122.4 per 100,000 people

Source: Jim.henderson / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

34. East Orange, New Jersey
> Law enforcement employees: 404.4 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 205
> Total civilian employees: 57
> Total population: 64,787
> Violent crime rate: 674.5 per 100,000 people

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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

33. Pascagoula, Mississippi
> Law enforcement employees: 407.4 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 62
> Total civilian employees: 28
> Total population: 22,091
> Violent crime rate: N/A

Source: Thinkstock

32. Rochester, New York
> Law enforcement employees: 412.1 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 747
> Total civilian employees: 117
> Total population: 113,306
> Violent crime rate: 880.1 per 100,000 people

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

31. Poughkeepsie, New York
> Law enforcement employees: 413.1 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 91
> Total civilian employees: 34
> Total population: 30,262
> Violent crime rate: 773.2 per 100,000 people

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

30. Shelby, North Carolina
> Law enforcement employees: 421.5 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 72
> Total civilian employees: 13
> Total population: 20,168
> Violent crime rate: 609.9 per 100,000 people

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Source: Jim.henderson / Wikimedia Commons

29. Bayonne, New Jersey
> Law enforcement employees: 426.2 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 182
> Total civilian employees: 102
> Total population: 66,629
> Violent crime rate: 220.6 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

28. Detroit, Michigan
> Law enforcement employees: 426.3 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 2,350
> Total civilian employees: 505
> Total population: 669,673
> Violent crime rate: 2,046.5 per 100,000 people

Source: Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia Commons

27. Lumberton, North Carolina
> Law enforcement employees: 428.9 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 83
> Total civilian employees: 10
> Total population: 21,683
> Violent crime rate: 1,812.5 per 100,000 people

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Source: Thinkstock

26. Cincinnati, Ohio
> Law enforcement employees: 432.3 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 1,051
> Total civilian employees: 241
> Total population: 298,880
> Violent crime rate: 910.1 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

25. Cleveland, Ohio
> Law enforcement employees: 434.5 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 1,444
> Total civilian employees: 234
> Total population: 44,423
> Violent crime rate: 1,630.9 per 100,000 people

Source: fallbrook / iStock

24. Riviera Beach, Florida
> Law enforcement employees: 437.3 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 107
> Total civilian employees: 43
> Total population: 34,304
> Violent crime rate: 1,384.7 per 100,000 people

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Source: Thinkstock

23. Albany, New York
> Law enforcement employees: 439.1 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 336
> Total civilian employees: 97
> Total population: 52,544
> Violent crime rate: 859.9 per 100,000 people

Source: Averette / Wikimedia Commons

22. Coral Gables, Florida
> Law enforcement employees: 440.6 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 160
> Total civilian employees: 69
> Total population: 51,980
> Violent crime rate: 148.1 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

21. Naples, Florida
> Law enforcement employees: 447.1 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 67
> Total civilian employees: 31
> Total population: 21,917
> Violent crime rate: 86.7 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

20. Atlanta, Georgia
> Law enforcement employees: 452.8 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 1,694
> Total civilian employees: 446
> Total population: 472,579
> Violent crime rate: 1,083.6 per 100,000 people

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Source: Tore Sætre / Wikimedia Commons

19. Key West, Florida
> Law enforcement employees: 454.3 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 92
> Total civilian employees: 26
> Total population: 25,976
> Violent crime rate: 392.7 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

18. Trenton, New Jersey
> Law enforcement employees: 455.5 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 246
> Total civilian employees: 135
> Total population: 83,644
> Violent crime rate: 1,347.4 per 100,000 people

Source: Good Grades / Wikimedia Commons

17. Anderson, South Carolina
> Law enforcement employees: 465.1 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 91
> Total civilian employees: 37
> Total population: 27,522
> Violent crime rate: N/A

Source: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons

16. Tukwila, Washington
> Law enforcement employees: 465.5 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 77
> Total civilian employees: 17
> Total population: 20,195
> Violent crime rate: 831.9 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

15. Baltimore, Maryland
> Law enforcement employees: 470.3 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 2,512
> Total civilian employees: 396
> Total population: 618,385
> Violent crime rate: 1,780.4 per 100,000 people

Source: Gryffindor / Wikimedia Commons

14. Jersey City, New Jersey
> Law enforcement employees: 480.5 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 865
> Total civilian employees: 414
> Total population: 266,179
> Violent crime rate: 479.4 per 100,000 people

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Source: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers / Wikimedia Commons

13. Anniston, Alabama
> Law enforcement employees: 481.9 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 87
> Total civilian employees: 20
> Total population: 22,205
> Violent crime rate: 3,310.1 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

12. Chicago, Illinois
> Law enforcement employees: 482.0 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 11,954
> Total civilian employees: 1,181
> Total population: 2,725,153
> Violent crime rate: 1,105.5 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

11. Newark, New Jersey
> Law enforcement employees: 491.4 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 1,113
> Total civilian employees: 270
> Total population: 45,893
> Violent crime rate: 936.9 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

10. Wilmington, Delaware
> Law enforcement employees: 498.7 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 302
> Total civilian employees: 58
> Total population: 23,667
> Violent crime rate: 1,780.2 per 100,000 people

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Source: Thinkstock

9. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
> Law enforcement employees: 509.0 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 6,313
> Total civilian employees: 1,682
> Total population: 1,570,826
> Violent crime rate: 988.9 per 100,000 people

Source: Richard David Ramsey / Wikimedia Commons

8. Hammond, Louisiana
> Law enforcement employees: 515.2 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 80
> Total civilian employees: 26
> Total population: 77,005
> Violent crime rate: 1,390.0 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

7. St. Louis, Missouri
> Law enforcement employees: 518.9 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 1,194
> Total civilian employees: 438
> Total population: 314,507
> Violent crime rate: 1,913.2 per 100,000 people

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Source: jjron / Wikimedia Commons

6. Beverly Hills, California
> Law enforcement employees: 525.4 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 117
> Total civilian employees: 67
> Total population: 35,018
> Violent crime rate: 302.7 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

5. Miami Beach, Florida
> Law enforcement employees: 528.1 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 394
> Total civilian employees: 98
> Total population: 93,165
> Violent crime rate: 1,009.0 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

4. New York, New York
> Law enforcement employees: 6N/A
> Total officers: 36,228
> Total civilian employees: 15,171
> Total population: 8,566,917
> Violent crime rate: 573.4 per 100,000 people

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Source: Thinkstock

3. Washington, District Of Columbia
> Law enforcement employees: 638.9 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 3,753
> Total civilian employees: 599
> Total population: 25,564
> Violent crime rate: 1,132.0 per 100,000 people

Source: Thinkstock

2. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
> Law enforcement employees: 941.5 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 219
> Total civilian employees: 81
> Total population: 31,864
> Violent crime rate: 1,688.4 per 100,000 people

Source: TonyTheTiger (Original text: en:User:TonyTheTiger) / Wikimedia Commons

1. Atlantic City, New Jersey
> Law enforcement employees: 1012.7 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 278
> Total civilian employees: 119
> Total population: 39,202
> Violent crime rate: N/A

Cities With the Least Police Officers

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/carlwwycoff/

50. Ankeny, Iowa
> Law enforcement employees: 104.7 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 54
> Total civilian employees: 8
> Total population: 59,236
> Violent crime rate: 216.1 per 100,000 people

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Source: William Wesen (Appraiser) / Wikimedia Commons

49. Lakeville, Minnesota
> Law enforcement employees: 103.9 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 55
> Total civilian employees: 9
> Total population: 61,581
> Violent crime rate: 68.2 per 100,000 people

Source: hhm8 / Flickr

48. McCandless, Pennsylvania
> Law enforcement employees: 103.8 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 28
> Total civilian employees: 2
> Total population: 28,902
> Violent crime rate: 45.0 per 100,000 people

Source: Joey Gannon / Flickr

47. Peters Township, Pennsylvania
> Law enforcement employees: 103.3 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 21
> Total civilian employees: 2
> Total population: 22,274
> Violent crime rate: 18.0 per 100,000 people

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Source: Dj1997 / Wikimedia Commons

46. Meridian Township, Michigan
> Law enforcement employees: 103.0 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 39
> Total civilian employees: 5
> Total population: 42,700
> Violent crime rate: 201.4 per 100,000 people

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

45. Ramsey, Minnesota
> Law enforcement employees: 102.8 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 24
> Total civilian employees: 3
> Total population: 26,273
> Violent crime rate: 60.9 per 100,000 people

Source: Raymond Shobe / Wikimedia Commons

44. Washington, Utah
> Law enforcement employees: 101.7 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 24
> Total civilian employees: 2
> Total population: 25,564
> Violent crime rate: 160.4 per 100,000 people

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Source: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images

43. Clinton Township, Michigan
> Law enforcement employees: 101.5 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 93
> Total civilian employees: 9
> Total population: 100,514
> Violent crime rate: 324.3 per 100,000 people

Source: Mike Kalasnik / Flickr

42. East Pennsboro Township, Pennsylvania
> Law enforcement employees: 101.3 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 21
> Total civilian employees: 1
> Total population: 21,712
> Violent crime rate: 59.9 per 100,000 people

Source: Bengt 1955 / Flickr

41. Manor Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
> Law enforcement employees: 101.1 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 19
> Total civilian employees: 2
> Total population: 20,778
> Violent crime rate: 158.8 per 100,000 people

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

40. (East Goshen Township) Westtown-East Goshen Regional, Pennsylvania
> Law enforcement employees: 101.0 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 30
> Total civilian employees: 3
> Total population: 32,687
> Violent crime rate: 107.1 per 100,000 people

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Source: Cbaile19 / Wikimedia Commons

39. Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
> Law enforcement employees: 100.2 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 27
> Total civilian employees: 4
> Total population: 30,940
> Violent crime rate: 48.5 per 100,000 people

Source: Helen854 / Wikimedia Commons

38. Draper, Utah
> Law enforcement employees: 98.5 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 39
> Total civilian employees: 8
> Total population: 47,696
> Violent crime rate: 157.2 per 100,000 people

Source: RifeIdeas / Wikimedia Commons

37. Cedar Falls, Iowa
> Law enforcement employees: 98.4 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 40
> Total civilian employees: 1
> Total population: 41,651
> Violent crime rate: 158.5 per 100,000 people

Source: Reuben Yau / Flickr

36. Genoa Township, Ohio
> Law enforcement employees: 98.4 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 24
> Total civilian employees: 2
> Total population: 26,415
> Violent crime rate: N/A

Source: Sage Ross / Wikimedia Commons

35. Shaler Township, Pennsylvania
> Law enforcement employees: 98.4 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 26
> Total civilian employees: 2
> Total population: 28,467
> Violent crime rate: 56.2 per 100,000 people

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

34. Spanish Fork, Utah
> Law enforcement employees: 96.0 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 32
> Total civilian employees: 5
> Total population: 38,529
> Violent crime rate: 26.0 per 100,000 people

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Source: Thomson200 / Wikimedia Commons

33. Johns Creek, Georgia
> Law enforcement employees: 95.7 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 72
> Total civilian employees: 9
> Total population: 84,629
> Violent crime rate: 31.9 per 100,000 people

Source: Amy / Wikimedia Commons

32. Waterford Township, Michigan
> Law enforcement employees: 95.5 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 53
> Total civilian employees: 17
> Total population: 73,308
> Violent crime rate: 132.3 per 100,000 people

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

31. Kaysville, Utah
> Law enforcement employees: 93.4 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 26
> Total civilian employees: 3
> Total population: 31,055
> Violent crime rate: 58.0 per 100,000 people

Source: kennethaw88 / Wikimedia Commons

30. Blackman Township, Michigan
> Law enforcement employees: 93.3 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 34
> Total civilian employees: 1
> Total population: 37,522
> Violent crime rate: 271.8 per 100,000 people

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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

29. Bainbridge Island, Washington
> Law enforcement employees: 91.7 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 18
> Total civilian employees: 4
> Total population: 23,998
> Violent crime rate: 108.3 per 100,000 people

Source: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons

28. Maple Valley, Washington
> Law enforcement employees: 91.2 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 19
> Total civilian employees: 5
> Total population: 26,304
> Violent crime rate: 79.8 per 100,000 people

Source: Don LaVange / Wikimedia Commons

27. Pleasant Grove, Utah
> Law enforcement employees: 89.8 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 27
> Total civilian employees: 8
> Total population: 38,984
> Violent crime rate: 30.8 per 100,000 people

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Source: Navin75 / Flickr

26. Northern Regional, Pennsylvania
> Law enforcement employees: 89.1 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 29
> Total civilian employees: 2
> Total population: 34,787
> Violent crime rate: 5.7 per 100,000 people

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

25. Pacifica, California
> Law enforcement employees: 88.3 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 33
> Total civilian employees: 2
> Total population: 39,650
> Violent crime rate: 163.9 per 100,000 people

Source: Jeremiah Orr / Wikimedia Commons

24. Hampden Township, Pennsylvania
> Law enforcement employees: 87.6 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 25
> Total civilian employees: 1
> Total population: 29,684
> Violent crime rate: 37.1 per 100,000 people

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Source: Thinkstock

23. Lehi, Utah
> Law enforcement employees: 87.2 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 47
> Total civilian employees: 6
> Total population: 60,806
> Violent crime rate: 126.6 per 100,000 people

Source: Marc Aviles / Wikimedia Commons

22. Hollister, California
> Law enforcement employees: 86.9 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 27
> Total civilian employees: 6
> Total population: 37,953
> Violent crime rate: 305.6 per 100,000 people

Source: Smallbones / Wikimedia Commons

21. York Area Regional, Pennsylvania
> Law enforcement employees: 86.8 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 44
> Total civilian employees: 4
> Total population: 55,292
> Violent crime rate: 121.2 per 100,000 people

Source: Omar Bárcena / Wikimedia Commons

20. Calexico, California
> Law enforcement employees: 86.8 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 23
> Total civilian employees: 12
> Total population: 40,336
> Violent crime rate: 406.6 per 100,000 people

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Source: Joeconsumer / Wikimedia Commons

19. Hercules, California
> Law enforcement employees: 86.1 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 20
> Total civilian employees: 2
> Total population: 25,553
> Violent crime rate: 207.4 per 100,000 people

Source: Ntsimp / Wikimedia Commons

18. Farmington, Utah
> Law enforcement employees: 85.1 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 17
> Total civilian employees: 3
> Total population: 23,505
> Violent crime rate: 59.6 per 100,000 people

Source: Mike / Flickr

17. Fairfield Township, Ohio
> Law enforcement employees: 84.8 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 19
> Total civilian employees: 0
> Total population: 22,417
> Violent crime rate: 124.9 per 100,000 people

Source: Tolerancezero / Wikimedia Commons

16. Soledad, California
> Law enforcement employees: 84.7 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 17
> Total civilian employees: 4
> Total population: 24,805
> Violent crime rate: 306.4 per 100,000 people

Source: Eric Ward / Wikimedia Commons

15. Lone Peak, Utah
> Law enforcement employees: 83.2 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 21
> Total civilian employees: 3
> Total population: 28,862
> Violent crime rate: 13.9 per 100,000 people

Source: Dwight Burdette / Wikimedia Commons

14. Hamburg Township, Michigan
> Law enforcement employees: 82.9 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 17
> Total civilian employees: 1
> Total population: 21,714
> Violent crime rate: 64.5 per 100,000 people

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Source: Jeremy Taylor / Wikimedia Commons

13. South Jordan, Utah
> Law enforcement employees: 82.6 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 50
> Total civilian employees: 8
> Total population: 70,226
> Violent crime rate: 75.5 per 100,000 people

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

12. Syracuse, Utah
> Law enforcement employees: 82.1 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 21
> Total civilian employees: 2
> Total population: 28,011
> Violent crime rate: 42.8 per 100,000 people

Source: DanielPenfield / Wikimedia Commons

11. Webster Town and Village, New York
> Law enforcement employees: 80.9 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 32
> Total civilian employees: 4
> Total population: 44,487
> Violent crime rate: 56.2 per 100,000 people

Source: Solarbird / Wikimedia Commons

10. Kenmore, Washington
> Law enforcement employees: 80.6 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 14
> Total civilian employees: 4
> Total population: 22,340
> Violent crime rate: 98.5 per 100,000 people

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Source: Nyttend / Wikimedia Commons

9. Hamilton Township, Warren County, Ohio
> Law enforcement employees: 79.4 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 16
> Total civilian employees: 2
> Total population: 22,670
> Violent crime rate: N/A

Source: drnadig / Getty Images

8. Northern York Regional, Pennsylvania
> Law enforcement employees: 76.9 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 49
> Total civilian employees: 4
> Total population: 68,894
> Violent crime rate: 72.6 per 100,000 people

Source: Emmanuel BRUNNER / Wikimedia Commons

7. Sammamish, Washington
> Law enforcement employees: 74.9 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 32
> Total civilian employees: 8
> Total population: 53,387
> Violent crime rate: 35.6 per 100,000 people

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Source: MichelleMorrisonPhoto / Getty Images

6. Northern Lancaster County Regional, Pennsylvania
> Law enforcement employees: 74.8 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 24
> Total civilian employees: 2
> Total population: 34,756
> Violent crime rate: 20.1 per 100,000 people

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

5. Clinton, Utah
> Law enforcement employees: 74.2 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 15
> Total civilian employees: 1
> Total population: 21,567
> Violent crime rate: 37.1 per 100,000 people

Source: DanielPenfield / Wikimedia Commons

4. Ogden Town, New York
> Law enforcement employees: 74.0 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 12
> Total civilian employees: 3
> Total population: 20,257
> Violent crime rate: 49.4 per 100,000 people

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Source: Ken Lund / Flickr

3. Genesee Township, Michigan
> Law enforcement employees: 68.7 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 12
> Total civilian employees: 2
> Total population: 20,393
> Violent crime rate: 343.3 per 100,000 people

Source: Trackinfo / Wikimedia Commons

2. Lincoln, California
> Law enforcement employees: 57.2 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 20
> Total civilian employees: 7
> Total population: 47,206
> Violent crime rate: 61.4 per 100,000 people

Source: intradesigns / iStock

1. University Place, Washington
> Law enforcement employees: 48.2 per 100,000 people
> Total officers: 15
> Total civilian employees: 1
> Total population: 33,196
> Violent crime rate: 219.9 per 100,000 people

Detailed Findings & Methodology

The size of a city’s police force is clearly related to the amount of crime in the city.

Of the 50 cities with the most police officers per capita, 38 have violent crimes rates that exceed the national rate of 450 per 100,000 people, and 39 have property crime rates that exceed the national property crime rate of 2,852 incidents per 100,000 people. Crime data is unavailable for three of the 50 cities.

Demonstrating the effect the number of police has on crime is extremely difficult. When crime rates rise, hiring by police departments tends to increase as well. However, there is very little evidence to suggest that increasing the number of police officers results in a reduction in crime levels.While a certain number of police officers is required for effective policing, other efforts such as focusing on police-community relations has been shown to be more effective than merely adding police to the patrol.

Cities with the largest police forces also tend have lower-income populations.Beverly Hills, California; Naples, Florida; and Key West, Florida, are notable exceptions — each with median household incomes well above the national annual median of $55,322.

Places that are poor often have high crime rates, but there are, of course, exceptions to this pattern, and the reasons such areas experience higher crime rates are far from definitive. Over the past 50 years, there has been a trend of reducing public investment in city services such as police, fire, school, public works, housing. This trend may have played a role in leading to more crime.

To identify the cities with the most and least police officers, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the number of police department employees for every 100,000 city residents from the FBI’s 2016 Uniform Crime Report (UCR). Cities are defined by the FBI and may include townships, counties, villages, and regional departments. The number of employees, the number of state institutions, and the city violent and property crime rates also came from the FBI UCR. Police employment includes both officers (“individuals who ordinarily carry a firearm and a badge, have full arrest powers, and are paid from governmental funds set aside specifically to pay sworn law enforcement”), and civilians (“full-time agency personnel such as clerks, radio dispatchers, meter attendants, stenographers, jailers, correctional officers, and mechanics”), as defined by the FBI. Median household incomes, poverty rates, and educational attainment came from the U.S Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and consist of 5-year averages between 2011-2016.