PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said the staffing levels at the police department have reached a critical low as the city tries to stop record gun violence. The commissioner said they are not attracting new candidates at the number they once saw.
Outlaw spoke at a public hearing held by the Philadelphia City Council Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention on Wednesday.
READ MORE: Police Searching For Dirt Bike Rider Wanted In Hit-And-Run Crash In North PhiladelphiaThe police department has about 6,100 sworn officers. It’s looking for 275 more.
On top of that, close to a thousand officers are not currently working.
READ MORE: Police: 16-Year-Old Boy Critically Wounded After Being Shot 7 Times in West PhiladelphiaCBS3 contacted the department for a breakdown about the reasons why and we are waiting for a response.
That leaves only about 5,100 officers on the force to date.
“It is a reality that our numbers are at a very critical low,” Outlaw said. “Our authorized strength was reduced in the last budget process… process before last – and it was not restored but even with that said, it takes some time to get the bodies here.”
MORE NEWS: Crime Again On Top Of Philadelphia Voters' Minds After 2 Pregnant Women Shot Within Days Of Each OtherOutlaw said new requirements for recruits are also part of the challenge. For example, potential applicants have to live in the city for a year.