Staffing Levels At Philadelphia Police Department At ‘Critical Low,’ New Requirements For Recruits Part Of Challenge, Commissioner Says

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.

The 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.

CBS3 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.”

Outlaw said new requirements for recruits are also part of the challenge. For example, potential applicants have to live in the city for a year.