Top 5 Public Safety Workforce Trends of 2026: Unpacking the Report

Public safety agencies know what workforce pressures they’re facing – yet they struggle to make meaningful improvements. 

In this webinar, join public safety experts to explore the five key trends identified in the Top 5 Public Safety Workforce Trends of 2026 report and how they contribute to a widening “readiness gap” between what agencies know they need to do and their ability to do it.

Drawing on insights from nearly 2,000 public safety professionals, we’ll break down:

1. Workforce strain as a structural reality
2. Hiring friction that limits recruiting success
3. The growing need for data visibility
4. AI adoption outpacing governance and readiness
5. Why change efforts fail in practice

We’ll examine how these trends are interconnected, reinforcing one another and making it harder for agencies to gain traction. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the barriers driving today’s challenges, along with practical ways to bridge the gap.

Whether you’re focused on staffing, operational performance, or modernization, this session will help you build a more resilient public safety workforce in 2026 and beyond.

Speakers: 

• Chief JT Manoushagian (Retired), Public Safety Executive Advisor, PowerDMS by NEOGOV
• Deputy Chris Smith, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office
• Lieutenant Kevin Sims, FO, Seminole County Fire Department
• Amber Logan, Police Communications Manager, Alamo Colleges District