A recent wave of suicide among Chicago police officers came as law enforcement agencies across the country have reported they are short-staffed. Reports of excessive overtime and cancelled vacation time incited criticism from mental health advocates.
The staffing shortages appear to be the result of more police officers leaving the job and fewer people applying for it.
There was a 45% increase in retirements and a 20% increase in resignations from 2020 to 2021, according to a Police Executive Research Forum study. Some of those who responded to that survey referenced the “negative national narrative” as their reason for low interest in the job.
President Biden has requested $37 billion of the annual budget to support law enforcement and prevent crime. The administration has called it the Safer America Plan.
Some agencies have implemented strategies and tactics to address the shortcomings, including offering hiring incentives, lowering hiring standards, encouraging officers to postpone retirement, and hiring civilians.