Do Small Local Police Agencies Make Sense?
While supporters of small local police agencies say they provide a personal touch that bigger police departments can’t match, critics say they often lack the training, expertise and accountability expected in today’s world of heavily armed criminals and heightened scrutiny of officers.
Landwebs
While supporters of small local police agencies say they provide a personal touch that bigger police departments can’t match, critics say they often lack the training, expertise and accountability expected in today’s world of heavily armed criminals and heightened scrutiny of officers, reports the Washington Post. Police departments with fewer than 10 officers have a made headlines in Uvalde, Tx., but also in Pennsylvania, Maryland and elsewhere in recent years for hiring and misconduct issues.
Officials in some states have pushed to consolidate the smallest departments into larger, neighboring agencies, often triggering opposition. Many of Texas’ smallest agencies receive only the state minimum of 40 hours of ongoing training every two years, while those at bigger agencies often far exceed that. A lack of resources also translates to lower pay and fewer benefits, which makes it difficult for agencies with single-digit rosters to recruit.
