NC Attorney General Josh Stein speaks in Fayetteville, addresses statewide officer shortage

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) – Attorney General Josh Stein is pushing state lawmakers to address the shortage of law enforcement officers in North Carolina. Stein said law enforcement agencies are struggling to staff their departments, putting public safety and their trust in law enforcement at risk.

“Too many of our cities, towns, and counties are facing a real shortage of law enforcement officers,” Attorney General Stein said during a news conference at Fayetteville City Hall on Thursday.

“We’ve had to realign some of the ways that we do business on a day-to-day basis, while still maintaining our basic services of 911 response and investigating crimes that occur within our city,” Chief Kem Braden, with Fayetteville Police Department said.

According to Stein, there were 506 fewer recruits taking the Basic Law Enforcement Training exam in 2023 than in 2019. Law enforcement retirement increased by 45% and resignation increased by 18% in 2021, according to Stein.

“I’m authorized as the sheriff’s office; I’m authorized to have 755 personnel assigned to that sheriff’s office. As of today, I have 556 people in that sheriff’s office. So, that says a lot,” Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis Wright said.

Sheriff Wright said he’s authorized to have 178 officers employed at Cumberland County Detention Center. Currently, there are 98 vacancies at the detention center. The shortage is forcing him to quickly promote officers with very little experience.

“Because a lot of the experienced folks are going home,” Wright said.

Attorney General Stein is proposing some recruitment and retention strategies. He wants to expand the Criminal Justice Fellows Program to all 100 counties through House Bill 612. It repays community college loans for people who work four years in a North Carolina law enforcement job.

Stein also wants to offer law enforcement hiring bonuses. North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training graduates would be offered $5,000. Out-of-state transfers and former military police would be offered $10,000 bonuses and $10,000 relocation stipends. He also proposes launching a public awareness and out-of-state recruiting campaign.

The AG also wants House Bill 768 to pass. It would allow retired law enforcement officers to return to work without paying a penalty for their pension. Incentivizing further education is another idea. Under this idea, North Carolina would provide bonuses for officers who get additional education and training up to a bachelor’s degree. Offering more mental health and wellness resources is another idea that Stein is proposing to state lawmakers.

“North Carolina needs trustworthy public-spirited officers serving our community. And I’m going to do everything in my power as attorney general to make sure our law enforcement agencies and sheriff’s offices are well staffed and well supported,” Attorney General Stein said.

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