Police recruitment shortfalls are only exacerbating our patrol response time problems

I often hear from frustrated residents about the need for more Milwaukee Police patrol presence and concerns over slower response times. I understand and share in the frustration many are feeling. People have every right to be frustrated, and I believe much of that frustration comes from the lack of transparency around this issue. I want to provide some clarity on what’s happening.

In 2023, the Milwaukee Police Department had two recruitment classes, resulting in 101 graduates. While it may sound exciting that there are 101 “new officers” on the streets, there’s an important distinction we don’t often hear about: Getting new officers versus getting additional officers. Last year, MPD lost 117 officers to retirement, resignation or termination, meaning the department actually ended the year with 16 fewer officers.

In 2024, the situation continues to be challenging. The first of three planned recruitment classes produced 37 graduates. The second class began on August 5th with 32 recruits, and to date, they’re down to 29. The third class is set to begin in early December, but as of September 25th, a total of 99 officers had already departed due to retirement, resignation or termination.

Again, even with new recruits, we’re still not seeing a net gain in officers.

This isn’t just a Milwaukee issue — law enforcement recruitment has been getting harder every year across the country. Many departments are struggling to attract new applicants, leading to staffing shortages in cities nationwide. And, while we all want to see more officers, we simply cannot force people to apply.

The cold reality is this: These officer recruitment challenges are contributing to the slower response times and fewer patrols we’ve all noticed. In my view MPD is doing its absolute best with the resources they have, but what’s needed now are more applicants to stop this trend.

I will continue my conversations with MPD about developing and exploring new and creative recruitment approaches to help us attract and hire new officers. This includes all possible marketing and promotional opportunities to grab the attention of potential recruits.

Last, I encourage everyone to spread the word and help MPD in their recruitment efforts. If we want to see the patrol presence and response times improve, we need to support efforts to bring in more officers.

To apply to MPD, text “Police Officer” to (414) 519-6190 or visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/fpc/Jobs

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.