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| NYC Police Benevolent Association |
Patrick Hendry, President of the Police Benevolent Association, cited forced overtime, increased enforcement demands from superiors, and the potential impact of police oversight on their careers as catalysts for the bailouts. He said that low pay remained a deterrent for many officers, urging the NYPD to prioritize making the job more livable for its existing staff rather than relying solely on recruitment efforts.
Data reveals that many officers are using accrued days off before officially leaving the force, meaning they are still counted in the NYPD's official statistics as being on active duty. At the current rate, it's projected that nearly 1,300 officers will resign this year before qualifying for retirement, potentially matching the record-breaking 1,297 early exits seen in 2022.
The wave of officer departures began in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in 2020. Nationwide protests and calls to defund the police increased anti-cop sentiment, while bail reform and rising crime rates contributed to frustrations among NYPD rank and file.
Insiders attribute the current exodus to continued pressure from the City Council and police watchdogs. The Council is on the verge of passing a package of bills that would require the NYPD to file extensive reports for even minor encounters with civilians, expedite the submission of officers' body-camera footage to state investigators, and disclose more information about traffic stops and internal operations.
A bill by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams also adds to the strain on officers, the PBA says, as it would mandate the filing of reports on all low-level "police-civilian investigative encounters.”
Critics have pointed out the irony of Williams advocating for these restrictions while enjoying the protection of an NYPD security detail and residing within a gated federal army base in Brooklyn. Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant and adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, criticized Williams for advocating fewer police officers in communities that need them the most.
Officers have expressed frustration with the increasing paperwork requirements and a perceived disconnection between lawmakers and the realities they face on the streets. Some officers believe that the additional bureaucracy could create a rift between the community and the police, potentially impacting public cooperation during critical situations.
The NYPD stressed that it regularly monitors attrition and plans accordingly to address the loss of officers due to retirement or other reasons. While recruitment efforts face challenges, the department says it remains focused on the positive outcomes that result when individuals join the organization. The NYPD highlighted that they have hired over 1,400 individuals in 2023, in addition to the approximately 2,000 hires made in 2022.