Economy

Trooper shortages force states to act

Governors are signing off on big raises to help fill significant numbers of vacancies.
New York State Police graduates sit during for their graduation ceremony at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

Lawmakers are raising pay, bolstering benefits and rethinking training for state police officers as law enforcement agencies struggle to fill critical jobs. 

Recent state investments come as many state trooper, parole officer and other frontline jobs sit empty, with more vacancies looming as cohorts trained in the tough-on-crime 1990s start to retire.

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