Calling in the National Guard and federal law enforcement is not a solution, but rather a sign the system is failing. Chicago is discovering the consequences of outdated police hiring practices combined with political budget cuts. Since 2019, over 2,100 police positions have been cut, while bureaucracy has increased. The Chicago Police Department (CPD) still has 795 vacant positions, in addition to 833 position cuts under Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and 614 by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Consequently, President Donald Trump is now deploying the National Guard to fill the void left by years of slow hiring, numerous vacancies, and intentional downsizing.
Memphis faces a similar situation. The city’s police force is at a two-decade low, resulting in fewer patrols, slower response times, and detectives struggling with unsustainable caseloads. While temporary federal support can provide immediate assistance, it doesn’t rebuild a police force or guarantee long-term safety. National Guard troops lack the training to investigate murders, handle tense domestic disputes, or establish trust with the community. Their presence indicates failure, not a strategy for success.
The problem extends beyond just the number of officers. Police hiring practices are outdated. A national survey revealed that the primary reason applicants withdraw isn’t salary, but rather excessive bureaucracy. Lengthy paper applications, drawn-out background checks, and a lack of communication from recruiters leave motivated candidates waiting. By the time departments finally respond, these recruits have found employment elsewhere. A flawed process is causing the loss of willing officers.
CHICAGO COPS STRUGGLE TO STAFF STREETS AS TRUMP PRESSES ON CRIME
Many agencies have reacted by weakening standards. Illinois, Kentucky, New York, and Texas are all experimenting with relaxing requirements in a desperate attempt to fill positions. This is a dangerous gamble. Lowering qualifications diminishes professionalism and damages public trust. Being a police officer is more than just a job; it’s a profession that requires skill, discipline, and community confidence. Americans don’t want lower standards; they want qualified, well-trained, and dedicated officers.
There is a better solution. The private sector addressed this issue years ago. Applicant tracking systems now manage hiring processes in every industry — simplifying paperwork, keeping applicants informed, and quickly moving qualified candidates forward. If retailers can manage thousands of job applications in weeks, there’s no reason why police departments should take months to onboard a recruit. Agencies using these tools can increase their applicant pool, leading to fewer dropouts, better communication, and more filled academy spots. Those that don’t will remain in a cycle of attrition.
Tennessee demonstrates what happens when leaders prioritize hiring. Republican Rep. John Gillespie’s H.B. 1445 directly invests in recruitment, while Governor Bill Lee has allocated $175 million to enhance public safety across the state. This funding is directed towards modernizing police department hiring and retention practices, not just temporary troop deployments. Tennessee is proving that the future of public safety depends on building stronger pipelines, not relying on soldiers to compensate for shortages.
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Meanwhile, communities suffer when cities fail to adapt. Extended 911 response times mean crimes go unaddressed. Overwhelmed detectives miss crucial information, delaying justice for victims. Stretched patrol shifts leave neighborhoods exposed. This isn’t theoretical — it’s the everyday reality in cities such as Chicago and Memphis, where understaffed, exhausted officers struggle to keep up. Residents experience the consequences every time they call 911 and wait.
The core issue is this: Deploying troops is a measure of last resort for a reason. Chicago illustrates the consequences when hiring falls behind and politics erode the force. Eventually, soldiers take the place of police officers. The solution is not more deployments, but improved, faster hiring processes that rebuild departments with the officers communities need. Until cities modernize recruitment, they will continue to repeat Chicago’s mistake: losing officers to bureaucracy and replacing them with troops.
