Police staffing has been going down since black lives matter became a thing. They dont get the same unquestioned respect and love like they used too so no one wants to be a cop any more. This one doesn't give years but it says 5% over the last couple years. The change is bigger in larger more liberal cities. Chicago is down 13% since 2018 , san francisco which inspired this meme is down 20% since 2017 and all the mayoral candidates are falling over themselves to say they'll solve it even though crime is down.

[–] AntiOutsideAktion@lemmy.ml 6 points 8 hours ago

⭐

[–] Frozengyro@lemmy.world 8 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

A lot of departments can't even get qualified applicants, so many positions are there but going unfilled.

[–] LOLjoeWTF@lemmy.world 4 points 7 hours ago

Yeah, but the restrictions are also getting loosened to fill some of the positions. So we're getting the people we never thought should be on the police force either 😬 at least that's the case in Chicago. It makes for a worse experience over time.

Don't get me wrong, there is so much reform that's needed still. If there's an emergency I am calling the police, and I'd like someone who knows what they're doing to respond.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2024/10/25/chicago-crime-police-department-arrest-officer-cop-death-killing-homicide-shooting