A lot of the smaller departments are having problems retaining officers because of pay. In my sons department there are 22-24 officers and many are considering moving to better paying departments, none of them would touch Louisville or Lexington PD with a vaccinated crowbar though. He’s been an officer for going on four years and barely makes over $15 an hour. $15 to potentially get shot at, killed or injured for life each shift. He can make that or more starting at the local Walmart.
His department and the cities fire department are about to take significant loses in officers because they won’t pay their officers a decent salary. He likes his department but can go to KY State Police and start at $65K a year.