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Chris McDaniel's avatar

I agree wholeheartedly, the shortage IS NOT ABOUT THE MONEY. Right now, there is a bidding war for existing police. This does nothing to address the shortage. I think it will ultimately cause many smaller agencies, and low budget cities to lose their local police, as they get priced out of the market.

Historically, there has been little research on police retention. Primarily it has seemed centered on recruiting. However, a large cohort of cops hired in the 90s with COPS grants are preparing to retire. On top of this increase in retirements, there has been a large increase in resignations.

I requested data on separations and hiring for my former agency for the past ten years. Alarmingly, the dept lost more than 230 in last 3 years against a bit more than 110 hired. The net-effect when my first Chief retired in '19, he claimed a staffing of 1,020 sworn staff. Presently, that sits at 814 (partly attributable to a reduction in authorized level falling to 958).

With increasing separations, it has become too many holes to fill by simply recruiting. I agree the losses are due to weak leaders; both politicians and their appointed police leaders. With no attention, I fear the public will not care until things are very grim.

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Ron's avatar

Let the elected officials set the crime reduction strategies, let the mayor/city council's be deployed on all civil unrest situations to dictate community safety strategies so they can be liable for their actions or inactions. If they don’t feel people who break the law should be arrested and held responsible for their actions let them stand up front and explain why. LE and enforce exactly what policies and directives provided to them. No traffic stops, fine, no arrests for property/retail theft/open narcotics use/ aggravated vehicle theft, fine. They need to stand up front and explain why. However, they receive the same limited liability that LE gets. Same for states attorneys and judges.

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