Georgia is one of the ten states with the highest police density

ATLANTA – New research finds Georgia is among the top 10 states in the world with the fastest police force growth.

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• The state with the fastest police growth is Nebraska, with a growth rate of 13.39% between 2022 and 2023.
• West Virginia has the second fastest growing police force with a growth rate of 10.99%, closely followed by Montana with a growth rate of 10.26%.
• New York has the largest decline in police numbers with a growth rate of -23.07%

A new study has identified the states with the highest and lowest police growth rates: Nebraska crowned top with the highest growth rate of 13.39%.

A new study conducted by pre-settlement legal funding company, High Rise Financial, analyzed data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, including employee data by occupation, state, and year, and then narrowed in on police-related job titles. These occupations included police and detective supervisors, detectives and investigators, and patrol officers and sheriffs, among others. The total number of job titles for 2023 was then compared to the corresponding 2022 data to calculate the percent change per state and determine which states have the highest and lowest growth rates.

The state with the highest growth rate in police is Nebraskawith an increase of 13.39% between 2022 and 2023. In May 2022, 4,330 people worked for the police, and a year later, there were already 4,910 employees. In 2022, bill LB1270 was passed, which allocated $10 million to establish a bonus payment program for officers who have stayed in their position for a certain period of time, with the intention of receiving a bonus of $1,000 per police officer. As a result, they will receive a 22% salary increase and 5% per year to retain state police officers.

West Virginia has the second largest increase in police, with a growth rate of 10.99%. In 2022, 3,820 residents worked for the police force, and by 2023, that number had risen to 4,240. A recent bill passed in West Virginia, SB 423, provides a pay raise for certain state employees, including the West Virginia State Police, for the fourth consecutive year with a 5% annual increase.

The third highest increase in the police force is Montanawith an increase of 10.26%. As of 2022, 2,730 Montana residents worked in some sector of the police force, and that number grew to 3,010 annually. According to the Montana POST Council, which is responsible for setting and enforcing requirements for aspiring public safety officers, Montana’s population has grown 14% in recent years, indicating a healthy and open job market for the state. This includes plenty of availability for aspiring police officers.

Fourth place went to the United Kingdom with a police force growth rate of 10.17% Is Connecticut. In 2022, the police force employed 9,240 people, and in 2023, that number had risen to 10,180. Those who want to work in Connecticut may have an even greater desire to be in law enforcement due to the high salary potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for police officers in Connecticut is over $75,000 per year. That’s $15,000 more than the Average salary for patrol officers, which was $60,210 at the end of 2022.

In fifth place is Rhode Islandwith a police growth rate of 9.06%. In 2022, a total of 2,980 Rhode Island residents were employed by the police force, up from 3,250 a year later. In Providence, Rhode Island, reforms to the Law Enforcement Bill of Rights were passed to rid the police of brutality after a series of cases of police misconduct at the local and national level. The legislation provides for harsher penalties for police officers who display irrational behavior in their jobs.

The ten states with the highest growth rate in police

The top ten are rounded off with the highest increase by North Dakotawith a growth of 9.05%, Missouriwith 7.23%, Georgia in eighth place with 7.17%, Wisconsinwith 7.05% and finally Minnesotawith 6.30%.

The state with the largest reduction in police personnel is new Yorkwith a growth rate of -23.07%In 2022, there will be 73,780 people working for the police in New York. This has changed dramatically within a year, and in 2023 there will be 55,760 employees.

Delaware has the second largest decline in employment with an overall growth rate of -9.05%In 2022, Delaware employed 2,430 people in the police force, but a year later, in 2023, that number dropped to 2,210.

The third largest decline in the police force is Idahowith a growth rate of -5.93%The number of police officers was 4,550 in 2022, but by 2023 the number of Idaho residents working in the police sector fell to 4,280.

In fourth place with the largest decline is Mainewith a total growth rate of -5.41%In 2022, Maine residents filled 3,140 police positions, and in 2023 that number dropped to 2,970.

The state with the fifth largest decline in police is Louisianawith a total growth rate of -5.22%In 2022, 17,630 residents were employed by the police in Louisiana. In 2023, that number dropped to 16,710 employees.

The ten states with the largest decline in police numbers

RoSheThe top ten with the highest decline are Ohiowith a growth rate of –5.09%, New Hampshirewith –4.01%, Texaswith –3.67%, Wyomingwith –3.39% and last Iowa, with –3.03%.