NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The number of NYPD retirements this year have surpassed all of 2019, a jump those inside the department blame on a lack of support from the public and city.
Retirements have increased 25% year-over-year, with more than 2,400 officers filing for their pensions through the first week of October compared to 2,000 retirements in all of 2019, according to a report from the Independent Budget Office.
The NYPD has about 2,700 less uniformed officers than the 36,900 officers in 2019 as the coronavirus and a budget crisis hampered the department's ability to swear in more recruits amid the retirements, the New York Post reported.
According to the Post, sources in the NYPD blamed the retirement surge on anti-police sentiment—on display at protests this year—as well as a lack of support from the city and department leadership.
About $800 million was to be cut or reallocated from the NYPD under a deal by Mayor Bill de Blasio and Council Speaker Corey Johnson. There have also been several new police reform laws, including one that penalizes officers for compressing a person's diaphragm.
An NYPD spokesman told the Post that an officer's decision to retire "is a personal one, made in consideration of many factors."
"This year has undoubtedly presented a number of unique considerations – particularly for our more veteran officers," the spokesman said. "However, the NYPD is fortunate in its ability to attract new officers — most recently demonstrated by the 900 recruits who entered the police academy this month."
