Police Officer Staffing Shortage

At a glance

• What: Kerns told Council on October 5, 2026 that, as of the previous week, the Police Department had 137 certified officers, 10 recently hired, 6 recent retirements and 13 resignations, leaving it down 36 officers.
• Ask: Kerns requested the status of the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) and other retention measures. Solomon said the current budget proposed a new DROP for police retention and asked for its status.
• Where it stands: No vote; no answer on DROP status appears in the journal.

Sources

• City Council journal, October 5, 2026: https://charlestonwv.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=9096,plainText=false)

Log

2026-10-05 - City Council

Kerns and Solomon raised the shortage and the DROP proposal under Remarks by Members.