Law enforcement agencies across the state are struggling to fill their ranks. The challenges are not new, nor are they unique to any one department. 

There are several factors contributing to the ongoing issue. Morale is low among many existing law enforcement officers, which is often linked to understaffing and increased scrutiny.

In Saratoga Springs, the police department is looking to dispel those perceptions while having some fun creating and starring in a video.

“We’re really trying to reach the age group of our candidates in new ways,” said Lt. Angela McGovern.

The video depicts an atypical police chase. It’s the chase of becoming a police officer. As a prospective officer makes his way through the Spa City, he is pursued by Saratoga Springs Police Department (SSPD) officers by foot, horseback and drone. The destination is the city’s civil service office.

“The last day to sign up is April 14,” McGovern said. “People kind of wait until the last minute.”

It’s turned into a unique tool to meet growing recruitment challenges that other agencies have utilized.

“We only have 8-12 applicants signed up for our test,” McGovern said. “Years ago, you would have probably 200 people signed up for the test at this point.”

Right now, SSPD is fully staffed with 81 officers.

“We have, I think, about 14 people who are eligible for retirement,” McGovern said. “Any day, they can say, 'you know what, I’ve had enough. It’s time for me to go.'”

The same can be said for other departments across the state.

“Part of it was the social climate that we dealt with a few years ago,” McGovern explained. “It’s not the highest-paying job anymore with the costs of inflation, and I think the focus of work-life balance has become important to this new generation.”

The COVID-19 pandemic added to that already alarming trend in law enforcement.

A Police Executive Research Forum survey indicated that between 2020 and 2021, resignations and retirements increased by 18% and 45% respectively.

It’s an issue that won’t be fixed overnight, but one SSPD hopes to improve upon.

“I think there needs to be more public support from other city leaders for their police departments,” McGovern said. “I think that includes that they’re properly funded, so that we can be the most desirable agency.”

And it appears the department could be onto something with the creative approach. The video has garnered more than 33,000 views on its Facebook page.

Most departments are accepting applications up until mid-April with that next civil service exam happening on May 3.