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.
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.
Great job. Financial incentives are actually a barrier to resolving the hiring issue as they mainly redirect candidates from one job to another. To simplify: poaching. We are never going to be able to borrow our way out of this deficit and the sooner we begin using real solutions, the longer the delay will be until we start trending positively.
Can’t agree more about poaching. We’ve had more waves than I can count of cops from my larger agency moving on to the smaller surrounding agencies with similar pay and benefits. It works for the individual, but the whole justice system suffers as a result.
Pay is a nice shiny carrot, but making the job of policing more prestigious to qualified candidates is what used to work and what could work again. Unfortunately, present day politics aren’t aligned with that way of thinking.
Interesting insight that I hadn't thought of, Roland.
There is no amount of money that will incentivize policing. Until officers are treated with respect, don't need to worry about losing their savings over frivolous lawsuits, or being convicted for doing their jobs, little will change.
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.
This is very informative, Chris. Thanks for commenting.
Some cities are so desperate that they're offering hiring bonuses in the tens of thousands of dollars. This is not sustainable by any stretch!
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.
Exactly!
Great job. Financial incentives are actually a barrier to resolving the hiring issue as they mainly redirect candidates from one job to another. To simplify: poaching. We are never going to be able to borrow our way out of this deficit and the sooner we begin using real solutions, the longer the delay will be until we start trending positively.
Can’t agree more about poaching. We’ve had more waves than I can count of cops from my larger agency moving on to the smaller surrounding agencies with similar pay and benefits. It works for the individual, but the whole justice system suffers as a result.
Pay is a nice shiny carrot, but making the job of policing more prestigious to qualified candidates is what used to work and what could work again. Unfortunately, present day politics aren’t aligned with that way of thinking.
Precisely.
Interesting insight that I hadn't thought of, Roland.
There is no amount of money that will incentivize policing. Until officers are treated with respect, don't need to worry about losing their savings over frivolous lawsuits, or being convicted for doing their jobs, little will change.
Well said. We need to fix the diminished allure in the profession. It's going to require courageous leadership that doesn't throw money at the issue.
Courageous leadership is desperately needed. It will be tough to right this ship without it.