Buffalo Police Union Raises Alarm Over Recruiting Woes

Staffing crisis looms as retirements surge and new recruits choose other departments

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Buffalo's police department is facing a staffing crisis as recruitment dwindles and veteran officers retire in growing numbers, threatening public safety and straining the city's budget. The Buffalo Police Benevolent Association president warns that the department's recruitment list is exhausted, with new officers choosing to join neighboring police forces instead of the Buffalo PD.

Why it matters

A shortage of police officers could undermine public safety in Buffalo, a city that has struggled with high crime rates. The staffing crisis also puts financial pressure on the city, which may need to rely more heavily on overtime pay to maintain adequate police coverage.

The details

Buffalo Police Benevolent Association President John Davidson says the department is seeing officers leave for other local and federal agencies, while new recruits are choosing to attend the police academy in surrounding areas instead of joining the Buffalo PD. The current police academy class has only 5 probationary officers, down significantly from larger classes in recent years. Davidson warns that the department's recruitment list is now exhausted, making it difficult to bring on new hires. The shortage of officers is especially acute in the lieutenant rank, which provides frontline supervision, with retirements expected to bring the number down to the "bare minimum."

  • In 2024, the Rochester Police Department was aggressively trying to recruit new officers with the promise of a six-figure salary after 44 months on the job.
  • Last year, the Buffalo PBA president warned of the potential for a significant number of veteran officer retirements.
  • This week, Interim Buffalo Police Commissioner Craig Macy acknowledged the financial constraints on police foot patrols due to staffing issues.

The players

Sean Ryan

The mayor of Buffalo, New York, who has acknowledged the city's financial challenges and upcoming contract negotiations with the police union.

John Davidson

The president of the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association, who has raised concerns about the department's recruiting challenges and the shortage of officers, especially in the lieutenant rank.

Craig Macy

The interim Buffalo police commissioner, who has acknowledged the financial constraints on police foot patrols due to staffing issues.

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What they’re saying

“We're seeing for the first time that I can recall in my ten years with the department that when people are being offered the job in Buffalo or from some of surrounding agencies they choose to go to the academy for the surrounding agencies. We've also had officers in the last year or so leave for other departments local and federal.”

— John Davidson, Buffalo Police Benevolent Association President (WGRZ)

“At this point the list that they use to recruit police officers from, it's my understanding is exhausted, so they have no list to recruit police officers from.”

— John Davidson, Buffalo Police Benevolent Association President (WGRZ)

“The current class is five probationary police officers in the academy, cadets.”

— John Davidson, Buffalo Police Benevolent Association President (WGRZ)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This staffing crisis highlights the urgent need for Buffalo to address recruitment and retention challenges in its police department. Failure to do so could jeopardize public safety and strain the city's budget, underscoring the importance of proactive solutions to maintain an adequate police force.