More than 100 NYPD Detectives Retired in June, Potentially Leaving Squads Understaffed

By Yehudit Garmaise

More than 100 NYPD detectives, many of whom say they are frustrated by politicians who seem to care more about criminals than crime victims, have retired in June: possibly leaving detective squads understaffed.

Mayor Eric Adams, however, has said that the NYPD's newest recruits will capably fill the spots left by the exiting cops.

In July, 75 more detectives have filed their papers to service their final rounds of duty, and “That’s going to have a major impact on investigating crimes,” Detectives Endowment Association president Paul DiGiacomo told the New York Post. “The detective squads are down now as we speak and are investigating more cases. “It’s going to have an impact on public safety.”

“Detectives are retiring in historic numbers because they have no support from politicians who care more about criminals than cops and the New Yorkers they protect,” said Paul DiGiacomo, the president of the Detectives Endowment Association.

Although approximately 5,600 detectives remain on duty in the NYPD after 250 already retired this year, less than 20 years ago, the number of NYPD detectives was almost 7,600. 

“The no-bail law was a big thing with me,” said Detective Jason Caputo, 51, who left the force two years before his maximum pension kicked in after 20 years of service. “It’s not even really crimefighting anymore. You arrest somebody for assault 2 with a weapon. and then the person is back at the precinct getting his property the next day. They’re not locking anyone up, even those with records.

“Pay your debt to society. You broke the law.”

“The criminals are not being prosecuted and they’re not being held accountable,” said a detective with 500 career arrests.

“It’s insane,” the detective said. “I feel bad for the businesses. You can even have private security, and [criminals] just go in there and assault them. [Criminals] assault police. But I don’t see any politician really solving the problem.”