The policing exodus: “Why do law enforcement officers leave the field, and how can agencies retain officers?"

Abstract

The following study examines the factors which are currently influencing the officer retention crisis presently happening within the United States and around the globe. The following research makes use of four primary points cited within academic literature regarding the issue of officer retention. An online sample survey is conducted based on how an officer’s education, work experience, job satisfaction/ burnout, and perspective on incentives impact their desire to remain employed. This research was conducted by making use of a mixed methods approach with the hopes of providing qualitative and quantitative data. The discoveries uncovered in this study aim to be used as practical solutions to be implemented by policing administrators in order to combat the current officer retention crisis. By using pragmatic data, it is the intent of this research that departments will gain an in-depth understanding of what motivates an officer to quit and what can be done to prevent voluntary turnover.