NYPD exodus ‘has become a stampede:’ PBA leader Patrick Lynch

The NYPD’s rank-and-file took another huge hit in June, as 523 cops either retired or resigned — the most in a single month in at least a decade, according to staggering pension fund stats obtained by The Post.

Of that number, 400 retired and another 123 resigned, according to a police source.

To date, 2,119 cops have left the job in 2022, with 1,472 retiring and 647 resigning, a 38% spike over the previous record of 1,535 for the first six months of 2020, the attrition numbers show. 

“The exodus has become a stampede. We’re not only losing experienced veterans. We’re also losing cops in the prime of their careers who are taking their talents elsewhere,” said Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch.

“The NYPD cannot continue papering over this staffing crisis with more and more overtime. That will drive even more cops to pursue other opportunities where they can make more money and have a better quality of life,” he added.

The rush at the NYPD’s Pension Section office at 1 Police Plaza on Thursday resembled a concert ticket giveaway, the police source noted. Most of the “hundreds” on line had filed their papers earlier and were turning in their ID and shield, the person added.

“NYPD members are leaving in droves. I’ve been to this office about 2 dozen times and have never seen more than 2-3 people waiting,” tweeted retired NYPD detective Rob O’Donnell, who included a photo of the crowded room.

“Not even months after 9/11 was it like this,” chirped Blue, a retired Emergency Service Unit cop. Another commenter tweeted a photo of the same line snaking out the door.

Last month, the Post reported that more than 1,500 officers had either resigned or retired.

Officers typically work 20 years or more to collect their full pension, which can equate to 50% of their final average salary. The data obtained by The Post shows those who are “running their time,” or using accrued days off before they exit. Those cops are still counted in the NYPD’s own stats as being on the force.

Anti-cop hostility, bail reform, rising crime and the city’s vaccination mandate — currently on pause — have agitated the rank and file, who are looking to greener pastures by taking other civil service tests and heading to police departments, such as on Long Island, or the Port Authority, MTA and out of state, like Florida, Texas and Arizona.

Frustrated NYPD detectives have also “had enough,” The Post reported this week. More than 100 investigators retired in June, and another 75 are expected to put in their papers this month.

Joseph Giacalone, a John Jay College of Criminal Justice professor and a former NYPD sergeant, said there were only two other people on line when he filed for retirement in 2011.

As for the mass exodus, he doesn’t see an about-face coming anytime soon. “It appears there are only two types of NYPD officers left: Those that want to get out and can and those that want to get out but can’t.”

RACE FOR THE EXITS

Annual attrition through June 30

Year/Retirements/Resignations/Total

2022/1,472/647/2,119

2021/1,064/443/1,507

2020/1,236/299/1,535

2019/1,056/241/1,297

2018/789/207/996

Source: NYPD pension fund data