Law Enforcement Hiring , Increased in 2023 , Following Years of Decline.
NBC reports that police departments in the United States
have seen their first increase in ranks, changing course
on a historic exodus of officers in recent years.
According to a recent survey,
2023 saw more officers sworn in
than any of the previous four years. .
At the same time, the survey by the Police Executive
Research Forum (PERF) also found that fewer law
enforcement officers resigned or retired in 2023. .
Law enforcement numbers had been declining following
the COVID pandemic and nationwide protests against
police brutality following the death of George Floyd. .
Law enforcement numbers had been declining following
the COVID pandemic and nationwide protests against
police brutality following the death of George Floyd. .
I just think that the past four
years have been particularly
challenging for American policing.
And our survey shows we’re
finally starting to turn a corner, Chuck Wexler, Executive director of PERF, via NBC.
NBC reports that declining numbers left
many police departments with a shortage of
officers, which resulted in slower response times.
Chuck Wexler, executive director of PERF, warns that many police departments are still struggling to recruit and retain officers.
According to Wexler, law enforcement , "isn't out of the woods yet.".
At least a dozen smaller police departments in
the nation have been forced to disband, leaving those
municipalities reliant upon state or county police forces.
NBC reports that in addition to increased pay and
benefits, many police departments have chosen to
change application requirements to increase hiring
