Police in Chicago have been retiring at twice the usual rate recently, a trend that some officials believe is likely to continue and could leave the city streets short of officers.
At least 110 police officers are retiring in August and September, and retirements in 2020 are projected to be higher than the past couple of years, said Michael Lappe, vice president of the board of trustees for the Policemen’s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago.
“That’s unheard of,” Lappe told the Chicago Sun-Times. “We’re seeing double the average number of retirees each month. The average is about 24 a month.”
Lappe partially blamed the exodus on a change in health insurance benefits, while police union president John Catanzara pointed fingers at Mayor Lori Lightfoot's treatment of the officers.
“I have no doubt that it’s going to continue, and I can clearly see a smaller spike within the upper ranks [of] lieutenants and above,” Catanzara said. “Who wants to stay in this environment? If you have the ability to leave, there is no incentive to stay anymore.
“The mayor doesn’t back us,” he continued. “If you have the financial ability to do so, I don’t blame a single soul for leaving.”
Chicago 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale said he noticed the recent trend during a meeting last week.
COMMENT: This retirement exodus, while appearing to be only in Chicago, is a TREND that will sweep all across the country as police department faced with reduced budgets and reduced resources to do their job... but, more importantly, as the hate from BLM towards police grows, law enforcement officers will simply leave and find new opportunities for employment, leaving behind the NOT SO GREAT people.
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