NYPD in crisis: Resignations, retirements spike to levels unseen in decades

NEW YORK, NY - The NYPD is facing a crisis of manpower as the number of sworn officers has plunged to its lowest levels since 1990. The exodus of officers out of the beleaguered, underfunded department has accelerated to approximately 200 officers resigning or retiring per month.

Data obtained by The New York Post and revealed in a recent report show that the NYPD headcount is now at a critical level of 33,695, merely one officer per 247 people citing statistics from the department and the City's Independent Budget Office.

Retirements alone in 2024 have increased by 11%, severely exacerbating the problem. The outlet reported that 823 officers have left the department in 2024 so far. Of that number 257 resigned without reaching the 20 years of service necessary to earn a full pension.

The NYPD has taken severe criticism following the decision to forcibly disperse violent anti-Israel rioters at Columbia University and a later incident in Brooklyn that saw an officer strike a man lying on the ground during a protest in which 41 people were arrested according to ABC News. 

“We will not accept the narrative that persons arrested were victims, nor are we going to allow illegal behavior,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said in a statement on X.
 

The NYPD will ensure everyone’s safety during peaceful protests.

We will never tolerate any unlawful, illegal, and non-peaceful protests. NYC residents demand peace and reject unlawful behavior in any form.

We will not accept the narrative that persons arrested were victims,… pic.twitter.com/ooyrjusOKv

— NYPD Deputy Commissioner, Operations Kaz Daughtry (@NYPDDaughtry) May 20, 2024

In a video posted to X in late April, NYPD Assistant Chief James McCarthy and a contingent of officers could be seen getting swarmed and screamed at by anti-Israel protestors attempting to break into the NYU Catholic Center highlighting the volatile situation that the NYPD finds itself in.
 

NYPD Assistant Chief James Mccarthy and a few officers are chased by protestors after making an arrest at NYU last night.

Mccarthy is seen attempting to get inside the NYU Catholic Center, but couldn't open the door. He eventually finds an unlocked door around the corner.… pic.twitter.com/WVVriOBbMP

— Peter Hambrecht (@peterhvideo) April 24, 2024

Retired NYPD Lieutenant and host of the New York’s Finest: Retired & Unfiltered Podcast #TheFinestUnfiltered John D. Macari Jr., warned in a post to X, "Pay attention to the July 2004 NYPD Academy Class who are eligible for retirement on June 30th. Look at how many stay vs. how many leave."