Exodus: NYPD officers retiring in large numbers under Mayor DeBlasio

Thousands of New York City Police Officers retired or have put in for retirement during a four-month period extending from the end of May to September, a 75% increase over the same period last year, police officials said.

The large exodus of talent and experience is something NYPD officials such as NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea see as a troubling trend, one the department is monitoring with growing concern during a period of exploding street violence and shootings.

"In terms of attrition, we are up about 50%...We project it to go much higher," Shea told reporters recently at a briefing.

The NYPD reported that since May 25 through Sept. 10, the number of officers who retired totaled 1,189 compared to 679 in the same period for 2019, according to statistics compiled by the NYPD and provided to Newsday.

Additionally, a larger number of officers — 1,473 — put in for retirement, meaning they have applied to leave but are awaiting pension board decisions and other proceedings before they turn in their shields, officials said. That is an increase of nearly 200% over the same period in the prior year.

The NYPD lost $1 billion dollars from its budget this year, and the department has no upcoming police academy classes to bring in new blood to replace officers who have left, officials said.

The big problem, Shea said, is that some of the most experienced officers and detectives in the business are leaving without the prospect of replacement in the foreseeable future.

"You can replace sometimes a number on a ledger, or hire X more [personnel]," Shea said. "We are losing people who love this city, love the people of the city, love this agency."

Paul DiGiacomo, head of the Detective’s Endowment Association, said that his members are leaving because of the growing frustration with bail reform and other criminal justice measures passed by the City Council and in Albany, which are perceived as making it more ... (Read more)

Latest News