Law Enforcement Hiring , Increased in 2023 , Following Years of Decline.br NBC reports that police departments in the United States br have seen their first increase in ranks, changing course br on a historic exodus of officers in recent years.br According to a recent survey, br 2023 saw more officers sworn in br than any of the previous four years. .br At the same time, the survey by the Police Executive br Research Forum (PERF) also found that fewer law br enforcement officers resigned or retired in 2023. .br Law enforcement numbers had been declining following br the COVID pandemic and nationwide protests against br police brutality following the death of George Floyd. .br Law enforcement numbers had been declining following br the COVID pandemic and nationwide protests against br police brutality following the death of George Floyd. .br I just think that the past four br years have been particularly br challenging for American policing. br And our survey shows we’re br finally starting to turn a corner, Chuck Wexler, Executive director of PERF, via NBC.br NBC reports that declining numbers left br many police departments with a shortage ofbr officers, which resulted in slower response times.br Chuck Wexler, executive director of PERF, warns that many police departments are still struggling to recruit and retain officers.br According to Wexler, law enforcement , "isn't out of the woods yet.".br At least a dozen smaller police departments in br the nation have been forced to disband, leaving those br municipalities reliant upon state or county police forces.