Recruiting and retaining Officers:
Challenges and Solutions
Across Michigan, police departments are facing one of the most significant staffing challenges in recent decades. Law enforcement agencies in both large urban areas and small towns continue to struggle with recruiting and retaining qualified officers. In a recent interview with CBS News, James Tignanelli, President of the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM), shared his insights into the root causes of this issue and what can be done to strengthen the profession.
Tignanelli noted that the number of sworn officers across the state has dropped by roughly 20 percent over the past decade, a decline that has placed extra strain on departments already stretched thin. He believes this trend is tied to a combination of factors, including lower starting pay and changes to traditional retirement benefits.
Impact of Wages and Benefits When Recruiting and Retaining Officers
According to Tignanelli, many agencies now offer starting salaries around $45,000, with top earnings after five years averaging between $75,000 and $85,000. While these figures have improved in some areas, they often fall short of what is needed to attract and keep skilled professionals in such a demanding field.
Equally concerning, Tignanelli said, is the reduction or elimination of pension plans that once provided stability and long-term motivation for officers to remain in the profession. As Tignanelli explained,
“When you take away pensions and lower the earning potential, you take away the incentive for officers to stay in this career for 25 or 30 years.”
The Importance of the Human Side of Policing
Pay and benefits are only part of the solution. Tignanelli emphasized that rebuilding the pipeline of recruits requires a renewed focus on the human side of policing. He believes that showing potential officers the real purpose of the job, protecting, serving, and making a difference in people’s lives, can help reshape perceptions of the profession. “We need to remind young people that policing is about helping people, not just enforcing laws,” he said.
Departments across the state are beginning to explore new and creative ways to attract candidates, from offering signing bonuses to building stronger community partnerships. Tignanelli sees these efforts as steps in the right direction. He insists that lasting change will come only when law enforcement careers receive the respect and stability they deserve.
POAM’s Role in Supporting Officers and Agencies
Under Tignanelli’s leadership, POAM continues to advocate for improved compensation, stronger benefits, and policies that support officers throughout their careers. As Michigan’s largest law enforcement union with strong legislative input in Michigan and in DC, POAM is helping shape a more sustainable future for Michigan’s law enforcement community.
As Michigan agencies work to fill the ranks, POAM remains committed to ensuring that every officer is supported, valued, and proud to serve.
About POAM
The Police Officers Association of Michigan is the state’s largest professional police union, representing law enforcement officers across Michigan. POAM is dedicated to protecting the rights of officers while promoting professional standards, accountability, and strong relationships between police and the communities they serve.