A shortage of police officers is crippling recruitment and retention efforts across the state, including the western Minnesota city of Morris, where — after more than 140 years — the Police Department will cease to exist at the end of the year.
The Morris City Council voted last week to disband the department and enter into a contract with the Stevens County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services. The move follows a turbulent few months during which the Police Department was whittled to just two officers, including the chief.
"It's a sad day. Nobody wants to see that happen," said Blaine Hill, city manager. "People ask, 'How in the world could a town the size of Morris not have a police department?' We live in a different world now."
The city of about 5,200 residents budgets for eight full-time officers and one full-time administrative specialist. In early July, the city employed four active officers; Hill said one officer is leaving for a different law enforcement agency and one is resigning to switch careers.
Morris, like cities across the country, is dealing with a changing attitude about policing, local officials say. The profession is in the midst of a 25-year low of new officers entering the field. At the same time, officers are retiring and resigning at increased levels.
Nationally, law enforcement agencies are only able to fill 93% of available positions, according to the nonprofit Police Executive Research Forum, which surveyed nearly 200 police agencies last year.
Hill said the agreement with the county will streamline law enforcement services by removing duplications at the city and county levels such as software and equipment. Hill said he doesn't expect the city save money from the move but likely won't spend much more than the city currently does on its Police Department. Last year, the city spent about $1.1 million on police services.
Stevens County Administrator Rebecca Young said the County Board will discuss the arrangement at its meeting Tuesday and could vote on approving an interim agreement for the remainder of the year, as well as a long-term agreement beginning Jan. 1.