Pittsburgh officers leaving at twice the rate they’re hired
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Police officers in Pittsburgh are leaving the force at about twice the rate they’re being hired this year.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports 50 officers have retired or resigned this year as of Monday and 24 recruits are expected to earn permanent assignments by the end of the year.
Police Chief Cameron McLay says the force has 838 officers. That’s the lowest number in about a decade. The city budgeted for 892 officers this year.
McLay says officers brought on during a hiring boom in the 1990s are reaching retirement age. He’s resisted asking to hire more officers until now, moving some from administrative positions back onto the street.
McLay has advocated for a staffing study that would examine issues including officer workload.