INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — The job is far from easy. Being a police officer comes with high risk and sometimes little thanks. It’s not really a surprise to see some turnover in the job.
Insiders say what is surprising is the sheer number of officers leaving this year.
"This year we have seen a significant spike in attrition in terms in the number of officers leaving either through known or planned retirements but also unexpected resignations separations, injuries and illnesses,” said Rick Snyder, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police.
Officially, 62 officers have left IMPD in the first four months of the year. On average, that's nearly one every other day.
Snyder says when you look at heightened scrutiny and officer deaths, the job is a tough sell.
"It's very difficult to look at the current environment that the law enforcement profession is in and say, 'Yeah, I want to do that'," Snyder said.
On top of the 62 officers who have already left, leadership knows of another 22 who plan to retire by the end of the year, making for at least 84 total. They only anticipated 69 would leave in 2018.
While the numbers are up, city administration says it's far from crisis levels. In fact, they say IMPD will still bring in more officers than they will lose.
Officials responded with this statement:
"IMPD's current staffing numbers stand at 1612 merit police officers. Since January 1, 2018, 62 officers have retired, resigned, or were terminated. We anticipate an additional 22 departures. A vast majority of the officers who have left the agency or who will leave the agency are retiring. Being a police officer is very demanding and after 20, 30, and even 40 years of serving the citizens of Indianapolis, these officers have earned the right to start a new chapter in their lives.
"During the Mayor's first year in office, he and the council committed to hiring a net gain of 31 officers per year, for four years. This means the IMPD will hire above attrition. The Mayor's commitment to increase the department's staffing levels was a direct response to the years before his election when the department did not hire officers to replace those leaving, causing a staffing crisis in the agency. The process to recruit, hire, and train qualified police officers is a long process and rightfully so.
"The IMPD started 2018 with 1674 officers, the highest staffing level in the history of the city. On June 4, 2018, 49 recruits will begin their academy training. An additional recruit class will start in December, and the goal is to hire enough qualified officers to take the authorized strength to 1712. There will also be two recruit classes in 2019.
"Under the leadership of Mayor Hogsett and Chief Roach and with the support of the City-County Council, IMPD is on target to have more officers serving the neighborhoods of Indianapolis than ever before.
"Those wishing to begin their career of service to others with the best police department in the county can visit joinimpd.indy.gov."
One thing all agree on: it takes a special person to do this job.
"You realize that there are just some who are called to do this and to actually sacrifice and put themselves in defense of their fellow man,” Snyder said. “And thank God we have women and men who are still willing to do that."