As with many law enforcement agencies across the country, the Charleston Police Department is dealing with a staffing shortage.
The Charleston Police Department, like departments nationwide, is having difficulty recruiting officers and has seen personnel leave for smaller agencies that offer higher pay.
For police officers in West Virginia seeking a fast-paced environment, Charleston’s roughly 62,000 calls for service each year make it an attractive option. However, compensation continues to be a major drawback.
With a starting salary of about $57,000, the department trails behind agencies in Beckley, Clarksburg, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Parkersburg and Wheeling, as well as several smaller communities.
Additional competition is expected from the State Police, which are easing transition requirements for certified officers. This adds to the challenge as experienced officers retire or leave faster than new recruits can be hired.
Charleston City Council member Shannon Snodgrass, who represents Ward 11, said the situation is concerning.
“My biggest concern is we’ve done a great deal of recruitment yet still we can’t keep up with our attrition,” Snodgrass said. “Mainly they’re moving because of money. We are not being competitive in our salaries.”
Charleston Police Chief Scott Dempsey acknowledged the department is operating with fewer officers than usual, calling it part of a nationwide trend.
“Everybody has to recruit very hard to keep their numbers steady,” Dempsey said. “The goal is to make sure the patrol division is staffed, but right now we’re OK. It’s always in the back of our minds.”
Mayor Amy Goodwin said the department’s opportunities can still draw officers, even if it is not the highest-paying agency.
“We have one of the best departments to be in because there’s room for growth and that runway is really long,” Goodwin said. “You want to be in CID or investigations. You want to be on Hybrid. In terms of growing and your potential to grow, I would say we have incredible opportunities.”
Snodgrass said she is advocating for a separate pay raise for Charleston police officers.
“Here’s my concern: We may end up spending the same amount of money in overtime to staff it, or if it gets to a point we’re going to have to start pulling from our specialized units,” she said.