04-24-2023 CC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Resignations For the 2019-20 period, responding agencies reported 4.15 resignations per 100 officers. During the same period a year later, 4.91 officers resigned per 100 officers. • 18% increase in the resignation rate. Retirements • For the 2019-20 period, agencies reported 2.85 retirements per 100 officers. • During the same period a year later, 4.14 officers retired per 100 officers. • 45% increase in the retirement rate. The amounts equate to an 8.21 per 100 officer hiring rate, and a 9.05 per 100 retire / resign rate. The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF, 2021) provided qualitative data from Police Administrators throughout the country: ■ "My department is getting younger as my experienced personnel retire/resign and are replaced with new officers. We are struggling to keep up with salaries for neighboring larger departments who are recruiting my experienced officers." • "We have seen an approximate 40% reduction in applicant packets this last fiscal year. In addition, we are seeing fewer `above average' candidates. The current rhetoric and negativity surrounding law enforcement is having a negative impact on the number and quality of applicants we recruit." ■ "Applications have decreased dramatically, making hiring extremely difficult. And our officers have fatigue from working long shifts and covering backfill slots to supplement staffing." • "We've had a more than 50% reduction in the number of applicants for the recruit academy, from an average of 450 per year, to only 205 in 2020. And we've seen a 100% reduction in qualified lateral recruits, with zero hired in 2020, compared to an average of 3 to 4 annually since 2008." ■ "We have seen the most dramatic increase in retirements / resignations in my six years as chief. Officers who became eligible to retire have done it at the first opportunity. We had a lieutenant resign with 16 years who was not eligible for retirement." • "In 2020 and 2021, most of our officers who left did not leave for another department. They left the profession." ■ "It has been difficult to hire back to our full complement for the past five years. With over 25% of our department retiring since 2016, the candidate pool has gotten smaller and smaller. With another large wave of retirements due in the next three years, it could be an insurmountable task for an agency our size." • "We are fortunate to work in a community that still supports its police department. However, the negative climate surrounding law enforcement has definitely affected morale. Officers are researching other careers in preparation to retire once they complete their 20 years of service and are