Part 8/12:
The Oakland Police Officers Association points out that even if the city increased funding, this alone wouldn't solve the retention crisis. Factors like morale, political pressure, and working conditions heavily influence officers’ decisions to stay or leave. Many officers view department leadership and city policies as obstacles to effective policing.
Furthermore, the department's turnover rate—approximately six to seven officers leaving per month—creates a challenging environment where training new recruits and maintaining consistent public safety becomes increasingly difficult.