FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN)-- Attorney General Josh Stein is pushing state lawmakers to address the shortage of police officers in North Carolina. Stein stated law enforcement agencies are having a hard time to staff their departments, putting public safety and their trust in law enforcement at threat.
" Too many of our towns, cities, and counties are dealing with a real scarcity of police officers," Attorney General Stein said during a press conference at
Fayetteville City Hall on Thursday.
" We've needed to straighten a few of the manner ins which we work on a daily basis, while still keeping our basic services of 911 action and investigating criminal offenses that happen within our city," Chief Kem Braden, with
Fayetteville Police Department said.
According to Stein, there were 506 fewer recruits taking the Basic Law Enforcement Training test in 2023 than in 2019. Law enforcement retirement increased by 45% and resignation increased by 18% in 2021, according to Stein.
" I'm authorized as the sheriff's office; I'm authorized to have 755 personnel appointed to that constable's workplace. Since today, I have 556 individuals in that sheriff's office. So, that states a lot," Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis Wright said.
Sheriff Wright said he's authorized to have 178 officers utilized at Cumberland County Detention. Presently, there are 98 vacancies at the detention center. The shortage is requiring him to rapidly promote officers with really little experience.
" Because a lot of the skilled folks are going home," Wright stated.
Attorney General Stein is proposing some recruitment and retention techniques. He desires to expand the Criminal Justice Fellows Program to all 100 counties through House Bill 612.
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Stein likewise wants to provide law enforcement working with bonus offers. North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training graduates would be offered $5,000.
It would enable retired law enforcement officers to return to work without paying a penalty for their pension. Under this idea, North Carolina would supply perks for officers who get additional education and training up to a bachelor's degree.
"North Carolina needs credible public-spirited officers serving our neighborhood. And I'm going to do everything in my power as attorney general to ensure our law enforcement agencies and constable's offices are well staffed and well supported," Attorney General Stein said.
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