Governor Josh Shapiro Addresses Police Shortage Across Commonwealth, Plans to Recruit More Officers

ERIE, Pa. – Governor Josh Shapiro discussed a critical police shortage issue across the Commmonwealth yesterday during a press conference at Mercyhurst Municipal Police Academy in Erie.

Shapiro met with cadets to talk about the challenges they’re facing while discussing his budget proposal that “invests in public safety and takes steps to recruit more police officers to fill critical staffing shortages.”
 
“My Administration is committed to creating safer communities for Pennsylvanians – and that starts with ensuring that our police departments are well-staffed, well-funded, and welltrained,” said Shapiro. “Our police officer shortage is a critical issue across the Commonwealth, and we must act to support the men and women working each day to keep us safe.”

City of Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny welcomed Shapiro, saying: “It’s always an important day when the Governor comes to Northwest Pennsylvania. It’s a better day when the Governor brings help and I hear that’s what he’s here to do today.”

“As the Attorney General, we’ve seen Governor Shapiro here in Erie addressing the opioid crisis, gun violence, trauma informed care, and many other topics. We’re happy to see he’s back as Governor helping with an important issue.”

Pennsylvania has the second most state and local law enforcement agencies in the nation with nearly 1,000 agencies, but the Commonwealth is currently facing a critical shortage of more than 1,200 municipal police officers. Compared to the 1990s, Pennsylvania State Police is seeing fewer applicants, down from nearly 10,000 per class 30 years ago to just 1,000 applicants per class today. At the same time, roughly 1 in 5 9-1-1 dispatch positions are also
vacant – and in northwestern Pennsylvania, that rises to more than 1 in 4.  

Governor Shapiro says he’s committed to solving this critical workforce shortage and pointed to his budget which proposes $24.7 million in job recruitment and retention incentives to attract more people to train to become police officers, teachers, and nurses through a proposed refundable tax credit of up to $2,500 a year for three years.
  
Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal also invests in several other public safety initiatives:

• $16.4 million for four new Pennsylvania state trooper cadet classes in 2023-24, which would hire and train 384 new troopers, helping to fill staffing gaps and provide more coverage across the Commonwealth.
• The creation of a Public Safety and Protection Fund, reducing the Pennsylvania State Police’s reliance on the Motor License Fund, and freeing up an estimated $1.5 billion for road and bridge projects while ensuring law enforcement have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.
• $105 million to address community violence throughout the Commonwealth through the successful Violence Intervention and Prevention program housed in the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
• Creating stable funding for 911 dispatch services, including an initial investment of over $50 million.
• Increasing funding for firefighters and EMS providers by $36 million to purchase new equipment, expand training, and provide additional resources.

“Policing is a noble profession and good people want to do it,” said Shapiro. “To those who choose to pursue a career of public service, whether in law enforcement, teaching, or nursing – we will have your back, and we’ll start by putting up to $2,500 back in your pockets.”