This week, the Joint State Government Commission released the report, Recruitment and Retention Challenges for Pennsylvania Police, Corrections, and Prosecutors as required by Senate Resolution 94 of 2025. The report found that employed police officers have generally declined from a peak in 2019, caused by a combination of eroding pipelines to recruitment, more competition for applicants between departments, and changes in public sentiment towards police officers. The report also noted retention challenges as officers retire, find employment at different law enforcement agencies, or otherwise leave the field entirely.  

The report recommended changes to state statutes, practices, policies, and procedures to improve recruitment and retention of law enforcement personnel. These recommendations include: create school-to-service recruitment pipelines; establish grant programs toward advertising and recruitment; adjust funding to MPOETC to reimburse the full costs of municipal police officer training; allow officers to transfer years of service for retirement; increase the number of PTO days eligible for payout at retirement; and support limited exemptions to federal income taxes for full-time law enforcement personnel. PSATS staff is reviewing the report for its impact on costs to local taxpayers and Association policies. Click here to read the full report.