Mass exodus: 2021 NYPD retirements expected to blow past 2020’s 72% increase in officer’s calling it quits

NEW YORK CITY, NY – Still reeling from a mass exodus of officers in 2020, the New York Police Department is on track to face even greater losses of officers in 2021, according to NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea.

According to Newsday, at his annual State of the NYPD address on January 27, 2021, Commissioner Shea stated that “the attrition that hit the department was a ‘very aggressive’ flood of retirements that continues to force him and his staff to make tough decision on using resources.”

As reported by The Police Tribune, Shea noted that “the number of retirements this year (2021) is already surpassing last year’s rate.” 

According to Newsday, 2020 figures showed an increase of 72% over 2019 retirements.