Pennsylvania State Troopers Association (PSTA) President David Kennedy issued the following statement on today’s 2023-24 budget proposal from Gov. Josh Shapiro:
“Gov. Shapiro recognizes the first duty of government is the safety of its citizens. We would like to commend him for providing a dedicated funding stream for the Pennsylvania State Police and proposing four new cadet classes in the next state budget to hire 384 new troopers, as well as the additional steps he wants to take to provide more law enforcement officers for Pennsylvania’s communities.
“Right now, the biggest issue law enforcement faces is the recruitment and retention of good police officers. Here in the commonwealth, Pennsylvania police departments and the Pennsylvania State Police have not been immune. Departments across Pennsylvania, and America, are suffering from some of their lowest numbers ever. In 2019, before the pandemic, police recruitment in the United States was already dire. The resignation rate in 2020-21 increased by 18% and the retirement rate rose by 45%, according to a survey conducted by the Police Executive Research Forum.
“The PSTA looks forward to working with Gov. Shapiro and the General Assembly during the upcoming budget process to make Pennsylvanians safer by giving police officers the resources and backup they need to accomplish their mission.”
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