105 Officers Left Pittsburgh Police in 2024

Three Pittsburgh police officers retired or resigned within the first week of 2025, an ominous start that follows a year in which the bureau of police saw its largest exodus in at least the past decade.

For a decade, the average combined number of retirements and resignations was roughly 64. In 2023, 101 officers retired or resigned, the Post-Gazette reports. In 2024, that number was 105, according to Bob Swartzwelder, president of the union representing Pittsburgh police.

That total included 66 retirements and 35 resignations. It was the highest number of retirements in a single year since the union began keeping track in 2013, Swartzwelder said.

For several years, resignations and retirements have outpaced new hires in the bureau, and the new high-water mark comes amid continued frustrations and debate among city officials as to whether the bureau is properly staffed to serve the city.

Swartzwelder’s answer to that question — whether the current 760 officers are enough, more than 100 of whom are on some type of leave — is rhetorical.

“Enough for what?” he said.