Wicomico County state’s attorney warns of law enforcement staffing crisis

SALISBURY, Md. — Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes is raising concerns about a widening gap between expectations placed on law enforcement officers and the resources provided to support them, warning that recruitment and retention challenges could have broader public safety impacts.

In an open letter, Dykes said law enforcement agencies are facing increasing difficulty attracting and keeping qualified personnel. While pay is often highlighted as a key issue, she said compensation alone is no longer enough to sustain the workforce.

“Salary matters, but it is no longer sufficient on its own to attract or keep qualified individuals in this profession,” Dykes wrote.

Dykes pointed to what she described as significant changes in the profession in recent years, including increased job demands, heightened public scrutiny and what she characterized as declining political and public support. She said those factors, combined with policy decisions and public rhetoric, have contributed to fewer people entering the field and more experienced officers leaving.

She warned that the issue extends beyond staffing shortages, calling it a growing public safety concern.

“When agencies struggle to recruit or retain qualified personnel, response times increase, proactive policing declines, and the overall effectiveness of the system begins to erode,” Dykes said.

The state’s attorney called for a “realistic and honest” discussion about providing competitive and sustainable compensation for officers, along with clearer policies that support law enforcement while maintaining accountability.

She also emphasized the need for increased investment in training, officer wellness and career development, saying those efforts are critical to maintaining a stable and effective workforce.

Dykes urged public officials and community leaders to carefully consider how policy decisions, funding priorities and public messaging shape perceptions of law enforcement as a career.

“We all play a role in shaping the environment in which this profession operates,” she wrote. “This is an opportunity for each of us to lead with intention.”

The letter was issued by the Office of the State’s Attorney for Wicomico County.