Speak Up: Police agencies are facing staffing challenges and shortages
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Competition for officers in a shallow applicant pool are impacting hiring and staffing, those in local law enforcement say.
Delaware should have three county forces and, of course, the Delaware State Police. That’s enough for such a small state. That would solve lots of the issues brought up here. — J.J. McGlothlin Jr.
I think this is mostly right, though cities over a certain population should also have one. But I did notice that the issues seem to be from forces south of the canal. — Benjamin Black
Maybe it’s because many of the small-town “law enforcement” agencies in Delaware have decided to devote a majority of resources to becoming professional highway pirates. Perhaps being a part of the community and giving back, as opposed to seeing every citizen as a potential dollar sign for the department, might be a way to repair their image and regain the trust of the public. Though, I suspect that ship has already sailed. — Matt Hickman
If you stop speeding, you won’t get any more tickets. Problem solved. — Charlie Harper
Law enforcement as a whole in the state of Delaware is underpaid. It only follows the trend of all pay scales in Delaware, both in the private workforce and the public. If you want to get good employees, you have to pay them. Give them a reason to come to work for your business or government agency. Pay poorly and get poor candidates, while the better candidates will get picked up by surrounding places. Way too many police officers and first responders are out there working two or more jobs. If an officer is having to work a second job, they are not making enough money. Pay them, put a no-moonlighting clause in their contract. Law enforcement, many times, also come in on their days off to go to trial or have meetings. Find ways around this. Small towns and municipalities have to compete with state and larger ones to get the better officers. Our entire country needs to have a long, hard look at their compensation for employees. — Dennis Norwood
Delaware has received much from the COVID funds from D.C. Maybe we can direct some of those funds in helping small towns in Delaware fortify their police departments? — C-Dawg Rowe
