Cleveland continues to struggle to recruit and retain police officers.
News 5 Investigators found 87 officers left the force between Jan. 1 and Sept. 1 this year. Records show 42 of the officers who left the department resigned.
Records also show 39 officers retired, and three were terminated. One officer left for medical reasons, and two other officers passed away.
News 5 Investigators first told you how the city’s police officers were leaving the force at an alarming rate more than two years ago in our exclusive investigative series “Dangerously Understaffed.”
Police chief’s response
When asked about staffing concerns during a Cleveland City Council Public Safety meeting on Wednesday, Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd said the numbers aren’t as bad as they seem.
“When the phrase understaffed is constantly thrown around, I am challenged by that,” said Todd. “It really bothers me.”