Problems exist nationwide in recruiting and retention of police. There are almost 18,000 police agencies in the United States, and many have been seeing their ranks thin since 2019. The International Association of Chiefs of Police surveyed departments in 2024 and found, on average, departments operating at about 91% capacity.
Pennsylvania faces the same issues. Sometimes it is a lack of interest in a demanding and potentially dangerous career. Sometimes it’s the instability of working for departments that might be cut or regionalized. Sometimes it’s low pay, which not only can make the job unattractive but also leave departments open to having their people poached by another agency.
So what is the problem in Pittsburgh?…