NPR

America's Growing Cop Shortage

A hot job market and skepticism about law enforcement are making it harder for police departments across the country to replace officers who are retiring.
On one fall morning, Bruckhart handled about a half-dozen calls ... so many he cannot keep count.

It's a fall Monday morning in New Haven, Conn., and Officer Christian Bruckhart has lost track of how many calls he has had. He thinks it has been six. Maybe seven.

There was the family dispute involving vandalism to a car. He needs to write reports on stolen property and a woman being harassed on Facebook. But first, he has to help search for a missing woman who may be suicidal.

"I'm backed up," he says.

There are supposed to be six officers patrolling this territory; three are on duty today, including one who's already into

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