In one exit interview, an officer wrote, in part, “The City Council has made it apparent that maintaining adequate staffing to keep the city or the officers [safe] that work there is not a priority for them.”
The Seattle Police Department has reportedly lost more than 100 officers in recent weeks, the agency has recently confirmed.
The Colwyn (PA) Police Department has had significant attrition due to early retirements of officers, placing the agency in a spot where they may only have one officer on duty per shift in a community of 2,600 residents.
The Atlanta Police Department is reportedly suffering what it calls a "critical shortage" of patrol officers as retirements and departures have left the agency woefully understaffed.
“It’s going to be really difficult to even get police officers to come here in the future because public safety is at risk,” Union head Mike Solan said.
What we discovered from the responses is that administrators, commanders, and supervisors are desperately trying to keep their troops safe and their agencies operational during the crisis. They are also looking forward to the end of the crisis, but are concerned about their agencies moving forward.
Officers with the Lafayette (IN) Police Department will now be able to grow facial hair and reveal tattoos while on duty following a change in the agency's policy on appearance.
Elected leaders and those seeking election routinely make statements—and enact policies—that put police officers in difficult positions at best and in danger at worst.
The chief of police for the Louisville (KY) Police Department has apologized for comments he made last week that drew widespread criticism.
Morale in the ranks rises when there are thoughtful, active, positive leaders up and down the chain of command. Sgt. Steve Fish of the Racine (WI) Police Department discusses how leadership can be found.