Law enforcement agencies across the country are still struggling to recruit the next generation of police officers.
Not only is recruitment way down. Resignations are way up. A new study by several academic researchers finds says departures and retirements have risen over the past year. They believe the problem of law enforcement leaving their jobs has been exacerbated by the Black Lives Matter riots and the “Defund the police” movement.
“I’ve been a police officer for 16 years, and I’ve near seen morale as bad as it is right now,” Joe Gamaldi, National Vice President with the Fraternal Order of Police, said.
Gamaldi calls it a crisis. In Harris County, KTRH has learned morale is low among some deputies, and many are thinking about retirement. Still, Gamaldi says our local numbers are nowhere near cities like Portland or Seattle.
“I think in Texas generally you will see that the overwhelming majority of the community supports police officers,” Gamaldi explained. “When people in general that are looking for a life of service feel like the community is going to support them, they may be willing to take that job.”
That’s why he says it's critical Texans continue to support their local police.