Police Hiring Crisis Grips the U.S.
The United States is facing a police hiring crisis, with small towns struggling to fill vacancies and opting to disband their police departments. The exodus from law enforcement has been attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the criticism of police following the murder of George Floyd. Officer resignations were up 47% in 2020 compared to the previous year, and retirements increased by 19%. Young people are also less willing to undergo the necessary training to become police officers. The problem is particularly acute in smaller communities that cannot offer competitive pay and incentives. Despite the disbanding of police departments in some towns, crime rates have remained unchanged, and residents have generally been satisfied with the alternative law enforcement arrangements.