Police Departments in the US struggle to fill jobs

In different parts of the United States, several law enforcement agencies are struggling to fill vacant police officer jobs.  The challenge is multifaceted.  Over a decade ago, during the 2008 recession police departments either froze or slowed hiring.  A number of police departments are seeing officers leave their jobs by taking early retirement options.  Other challenges that police departments encounter with filling positions include: potential candidates seeking other careers, scandals involving police malfeasance, and on the job dangers can keep potential applicants from seeking employment as a police officer.  With certain departments struggling to fill positions, departments compete against one another to recruit officers.  Departments that can offer higher salaries can bring in officers that are looking to earn more money.

 According to a National Public Radio report titled: "America's Growing Cop Shortage," nationwide, the number of police officers has decreased by about 23,000.  The NPR report also states that: "The number of officers per capita is down even more sharply, from 2.42 per 1,000 residents in 1997 to 2.17 officers per 1,000 in 2016."  Police recruiters note that 10 to 15 years ago there were more people applying for law enforcement jobs.  To fill staffing shortages several departments provide officers with overtime opportunities.

 According to an April 2018 article about police officer staffing shortages written by Mike Maciag: "A national survery by the Center for State and Local Government Excellence found last year that governments are having more trouble hiring police than any other category of personnel.  Agencies are scrambling to attract and retain talent, often by boosting compensation packages or ramping up recruitment."  

 "The national narrative of the last couple of years is pretty condemning of policing.  It has had a strong adverse effect on recruiting people from the very communities we most need to hire," says Richard Myers, executive director of the Major Cities Chiefs Association.  Myers estimates that approximately 80% of major city police departments are having difficulty attracting enough applicants.  As a result of fewer applicants for law enforcement jobs, some police departments have altered hiring practices by lowering educational requirements or allowing applicants with past minor offenses.

For more information about recruiting challenges for police departments in the United States visit these resources:

 * "America's Growing Cop Shortage," by Martin Kaste. National Public Radio; December 12, 2018.
* "With Fewer Police Applicants, Departments Engage in Bidding Wars," by Mike Maciag; April 2018.  http://www.governing.com/templates/gov 

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