It could be a result of mass retirements, the lure of suburban departments and pay levels, and perhaps the decision to end retiree health care benefits for those hired after 2005, but the angst over police staffing levels in the City of Pittsburgh (here and here) is getting alot of attention.

Here is some data on staffing levels.  First, the Controller’s annual financial report full time equivalent employees by program/function shows that in 2004, total police department staffing (sworn and administrative positions) was 1,130.  With a population of 334,563, the staffing ratio per 10,000 people was 33.7.  In 2014 the total was 1,091 and with population standing at 305,704 the ratio was 35.6.

Second, the 2004 Act 47 plan noted “Pittsburgh has approximately 900 sworn officers patrolling a city with a population of 334,563.  That amounts to 26.9 sworn officers per 10,000 city residents, above the national average for large municipalities of 22 sworn officers per 10,000 residents.”  If the staffing number for sworn officers listed in the news article today 838 and the population count from the 2010 Census is used then the ratio of sworn officers is 27.4.  It would take the separation of 200 sworn personnel with no replacements to bring Pittsburgh’s level below the 2004 national average.

Staffing might also be impacted by two policy issues that are still unresolved as of today:

1. Turning “back office” functions over to civilian employees–The Chief of Police mentioned that the department is moving police from administrative positions on to street patrol and characterized it as “…robbing Peter to pay Paul”.  Why would this be referred to this way when the Act 47 team recommended “placing civilian employees in positions held by sworn employees so the latter can be reassigned to patrol and more traditional police activities”?  At one point there was even talk about having retired officers take over administrative functions.

2. Permitting Pittsburgh police to reside outside of City limits–There is still the issue of allowing police officers who work for the City to live outside the City.  This might make the job more attractive to prospective personnel or allow the City to retain current employees.  Some of the larger municipalities in Allegheny County do require their police officers to live within the municipality, but the majority of others specify a specific geographic area (miles or travel time from the municipality where the officer works) or have no requirement at all.