NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The New York Police Department is reporting a serious rise in the number of officers who are quitting their jobs.

Examining the recent data, numerous police officers express concern that the situation will exacerbate, given the city's decision to cancel the next five Police Academy classes.

This implies that what was once the nation's largest police force will soon become its smallest in recent years.

Deep concern among NYPD cops

The department’s pension data show that a total of 2,516 NYPD cops have returned their badges this year, making it the fourth-highest number in the past decade.

It is also 43% more than the 1,750 who left in 2018, just before the pandemic and the increase in crimes in the city.

"The workload is a leading factor driving people away from the job," the union leader remarked. "If the NYPD is going to survive these staffing reductions, it cannot just keep squeezing cops for more hours."

The union has now put forth a proposal for a flexible schedule.

This entails that officers can work longer hours over fewer days. Typically, officers work for approximately 20 years or more to become eligible for their full pension. This could constitute 50% of the final average salary.

"I keep in contact with the guys that I was in the police academy with, and we all have the same notion," said one officer who preferred not to be named.

"I think maybe 95% of us are planning on leaving," he mentioned, referring to his 2004 class of 2,400, indicating that they will be completing their 20 years of service this summer.

It is only getting worse

The cancellation of the next five Police Academy classes puts immense pressure on existing officers, and their numbers are expected to decrease to 29,000 by the end of fiscal year 2025

“We’ve been working an average of about 13 to 14 hours a day with a lot of the protests happening in the city,” the officer informed NYP.

“Enough is enough. I’ll have maybe one day off for the week and I’m so tired from work I don’t want to do anything.”

"When you look at the number of resignations, you need to ask yourself why would the mayor even consider making cuts to hiring in the NYPD?” said Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant and adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

“As the numbers continue to dwindle, things will take a dramatic turn for the worse,” Joseph added.