Winston-Salem Police Department facing police officer shortage
The Winston-Salem Police Department is dealing with an officer shortage. The chief said it's a national problem that's "increased exponentially" over the last few years.
On Wednesday, the Forsyth County district attorney said three more city officers resigned.
Forsyth County District attorney Jim O'Neill said the WSPD is down about 20%. Police Chief Catrina Thompson promises people should not see any changes to the quality or professionalism of her officers.
"If we don't start caring about law enforcement we are going to wake up one day and we won't have law enforcement," Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill said during a late afternoon news conference inside the Forsyth County Courthouse.
O'Neill, who held the news conference to talk about his office upgrading a charge against a man who is accused of shooting a gun during a struggle with police on Sunday, spoke about what he said police have endured over the last 18 months.
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He said law enforcement has been denigrated and demoralized and that nationally, violence against them has risen.
"The disrespect that they have had to endure over the last 18 months have made it difficult to keep officers on the force on the job and our rookie classes full," he said.
Right now, he said the city is down 100 officers which he says represents 20% of the workforce.
He also said the most recent academy class had fewer than 20 people. Lt. Greg Dorn, who is well known throughout the community for his work in the Homicide Unit within the Criminal Investigations Division and who is nearing retirement, said the officers that are left, are compassionate about their job but it is getting harder every day for them.
"We need the backing of the community, continue to support the police officers and thank you for those who do and for the rest of you out there that is going to carry this torch, stay safe," Lt. Dorn said.
"They need to hear from this community that we care and we appreciate them," O'Neill said.
Winston-Salem police Chief Catrina Thompson did release a statement to WXII 12 News Wednesday night and addressed the shortage.
It reads, “The Winston-Salem Police Department, along with the majority of law enforcement agencies throughout the country, is experiencing staffing shortages. The shortages are affecting both our sworn officer and non-sworn positions. This issue has increased exponentially for the past several years. Agencies throughout the country are being forced to make tough decisions and necessary adjustments to ensure proper staffing. The Winston-Salem Police Department remains committed to providing exceptional law enforcement services and maintaining the highest levels of safety in our community. To continue to do this, we constantly evaluate the best and most efficient deployment of our personnel throughout the agency. Unfortunately, this means that some of our specialized units have been disbanded temporarily until staffing levels improve. We place a high priority on the safety of our officers. Ensuring that our Patrol Division is adequately staffed in order to keep our personnel safe is paramount. Affected personnel have been reassigned to our Patrol Division in an effort to maintain a strong police presence within the community and ensure officer safety on the streets of Winston-Salem. Citizens should not see any changes to the high quality, professional service they receive from the Winston-Salem Police Department as a result of these temporary deployment changes.”
It is important to note that the three officers who resigned Wednesday were not involved in the incident on Sunday night according to O'Neill.
O'Neill said Darryl Click is now charged with attempted first-degree murder on a law enforcement officer on top of his other charges, that include assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, felony possession of marijuana, carrying a concealed gun and resisting.