(WBAP/KLIF) — A nationwide shortage of police officers is affecting North Texas. With fewer recruits and a large number of police officers changing professions or retiring, police departments are finding it difficult to fill their patrol cars.
Police departments across the country are dealing with a shortage of officers to maintain an adequate workforce. Texas is no exception as Austin Police have been forced to partner with the Department of Public Safety to address coverage concerns.
Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia says his department has hired 200 new officers, while losing 236, raising concerns for the future. Garcia believes DPD needs to make officers feel valued and wanted, considering the sacrifice they make on a daily basis.
Garcia is proud of his recruiting department, however DPD is experiencing similar struggles as the rest of the nation, prompting Congress is even draft legislation to address the nationwide crisis.
In the wake of funding cuts to the Austin Police Department by city leaders, Dallas Police Department made recruiting efforts to hire away disgruntled officers. Similar measures have been taken by many police departments struggling to find enough officers to fill their ranks.
Dallas’ top cop feels retention of officers should be his department’s prime focus in order to achieve adequate staffing.
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