Crisfield Police Department Suffering from Staffing Shortage

CRISFIELD, Md. – The Crisfield Police Department (CPD) is currently suffering a staffing shortage after two officers recently left to work at a nearby agency.

In a statement to WMDT, Crisfield Police Chief Eric Lee said his department was facing a staffing shortage like many other agencies, but the issue has been exasperated with the recent departure of two Crisfield officers to the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO). As a result, the agency’s ability to provide coverage to the City of Crisfield has been impacted.

Chief Lee says he has reached out to both SCSO and the Maryland State Police, who have a barrack located in Princess Anne, to provide supplemental coverage when CPD is unable to patrol. Additionally, Chief Lee told WMDT he has applied for and is in the process of receiving a variety of grants aimed at curbing overtime costs. Minimizing the expenses of coverage would allow officers to continue working weekend patrol shifts during higher call-volume times.

SCSO underwent a similar issue in April, prompting a pause of their weekend patrols. However, the department resumed their 24/7 operations after receiving additional funding from the Somerset County Board of Commissioners.

It is unclear how long changes to Crisfield’s police coverage will last, but Chief Lee maintains his department is working to recruit academy applicants and certified officers at this time.