Layoffs Continue…
ByCops all over the country are wondering if they will be the next to lose their job.
Stockton, CA is one of the latest to lay off police officers. Fifty officers got their pink slips today. Losing 50 sworn officers results in a net loss of almost 14% of the entire Stockton force. Additionally, 35 civilian employees are out, and seven sergeants have been demoted.
But Stockton PD is not alone. I’ve detailed before how agencies like the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department have laid off law enforcement officers, and how the state of Florida has dumped hundreds of probation officers.
Obtaining information from the newspapers from around the nation, these are just a few of the many other agencies that have laid off police officers and academy recruits, or are planning to do so:
- Findlay, OH – 13 officers
- Columbus, OH – 27 officers
- Mansfield, OH – 18 officers
- Kansas City, MO – 31 recruits and up to 84 officers soon
- Portland, ME – “unspecified” numbers of officers
- Boston, MA – rumors of up to 200 officers
- Muskegon Heights, MI – 11 officers
- Sacramento, CA – 67 officers
- Orlando, FL – “unspecified” number of officers
And these are just the tip of the iceberg. There are a lot of departments cutting people that never make the news.
Back on July 11, I posted about some of the early layoffs in law enforcement…and the DOW was above 11,100 then. Wow, I guess those were the glory days.
Look, everyone needs to prepare now. If you are a police officer, the job is going to be a lot tougher. Fewer cops and more crime creates a very dangerous environment to work in. Don’t cut corners on officer safety!
Also, keep in mind that your job may be the next to go. Start planning for that possibility now. Cut back on expenses, save some more cash, and buy some extra food for storage each time you go to the store. Having some cash and food on hand will help you deal with a job loss, and will give you a much needed cushion until you can find your next job.
Stay safe and watch out for each other!
