More Cleveland police officers leaving, even training class shrinking: I-Team

CLEVELAND (WJW) – The FOX 8 I TEAM has learned the number of new Cleveland Police recruits in training continues to shrink, and more officers have also left the force.

We’ve reported many times on chronic Cleveland Police short staffing often leading to delays getting officers to your 911 calls.

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Months ago, City Hall made a splash announcing a new training class with 52 recruits. The largest in a very long time.

Since then, 11 of those recruits have dropped out. The chief’s office tells us the size of the class is now down to 41.

Meantime, more officers already on the Cleveland Police force continue to leave. So far this year, 82 officers have left.

Some have retired, of course, but many have simply resigned. In fact, last month, the officers resigning far outnumbered those retiring.

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The city has raised police pay significantly and changed officer workhours to 12-hour shifts trying to build up the police force and keep officers from leaving.

City leaders had said another new training class for recruits would likely begin in August.

There has been no formal announcement, yet.

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