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The Albany Police Department is addressing a significant staffing shortage by proposing to hire retired officers as peace officers. With 75 officer positions currently vacant, this marks a slight improvement from a nearly 25% shortage in March, but hiring remains a challenge. The department plans to create 10 special patrol officer positions, focusing on duties such as front desk operations, community outreach, and youth engagement.
According to CBS6 Albany, Chief Brendan Cox emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, "We are not going to be able to just hire 75 officers tomorrow and have them out on the street." The retired officers would require a state waiver to collect a pension while receiving a salary, which typically ranges from $62,350 to $89,230 annually.
As reported by Police1, the Common Council is being asked to approve a transfer of funds to support these positions. The move aims to alleviate the pressure on current officers, who have been facing mandatory overtime and frequent back-to-back shifts, leading to burnout and increased turnover among younger officers.
Alyson Baker, deputy chief of staff to Mayor Kathy Sheehan, noted that this initiative is part of a broader effort to tackle the nationwide challenge of police recruitment and retention. However, Mike Delano, president of the patrol officers' union, expressed concerns about outsourcing work traditionally performed by current officers, stating that negotiations with the city are ongoing.
Mayor Sheehan acknowledged the multiyear nature of the staffing issue and expressed hope that recruiting efforts will eventually resolve the problem. In the meantime, the city is exploring all possible solutions to stabilize staffing levels in the police department.