According to Stein’s office, over 500 fewer recruits took the basic law enforcement exam than in 2019, while retirements and resignations rose dramatically (45% and 18% respectively, according to a national survey). Part of that, Stein noted, is that many of the roughly 100,000 law enforcement officers who joined the ranks of departments across the country as part of the 1994 Clinton Crime Bill are now hanging up their badges and guns.
One obvious approach is increased compensation, Stein said.
“One way you do it, is by paying people," he said.
Stein also wants to poach talent from other states.
“We suggest the state come up with a signing bonus, also engage in a marketing marketing campaign to other states to let people know how wonderful life is here in North Carolina. And not everyone knows how beautiful Wilmington is," he said.
Stein also touted bills in the general assembly that would remove pension penalties for returning officers (a bill that's still in the Senate), repay community college loans for students who go into law enforcement (a bill that moved from the House to the Senate), and allow civilian crash responders to free up time for sworn officers (a bill that just passed in the Senate and House and is now headed to Governor Roy Cooper's desk, where it's expected to be signed).
Then there’s the issue of retaining mid-career talent. Stein says there need to be new efforts to support officers, who face a host of problems, from the stress of dealing with mental health calls to dealing with increased scrutiny — and sometimes hostility — in the wake of the 2020 murder of George Floyd.
At the same time, Stein — whose office has prosecuted officers for misconduct — also says accountability is important.
“I know that a lot of law enforcement feels put out from the protests that happened after the killings of a few years ago … So it is a tough job, and they deserve all the thanks in the world. But we can also expect them to treat everybody fairly. But I do believe we can do both of those things," Stein said.
