Buffalo Police Overtime Costs Surge Over One-Third
The Buffalo Police Department reports overtime expenses topped $17 million as officer staffing levels continue to fall.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Buffalo Police Department overtime costs increased by more than one-third over a five-year period ending June 30, 2026. The department spent over $17 million on overtime during the last fiscal year as staffing levels dropped by 44 full-time employees.
Why it matters
Rising overtime expenditures stem from wage hikes negotiated by the police union and a significant shortage of personnel. The department currently operates with nearly 100 fewer officers than its budgeted capacity of 813 positions.
The department managed 715 active sworn officers in fiscal year 2026, falling short of its 813 budgeted positions. Homicide clearance rates have declined from 93% in 2024 to 70% in 2026 year-to-date.
The players
Buffalo Police Department
The local law enforcement agency is responsible for maintaining public safety and investigating criminal activity within the city of Buffalo.
The details
Senior officers are given priority for voluntary overtime, while mandatory shifts are utilized to meet minimum staffing requirements. The homicide unit alone accounted for just under $2 million of the total overtime expenditure last year.
Timeline
Staffing decreases and overtime growth occurred between 2022 and 2026.
The Buffalo Police Department ended its 2026 fiscal year on June 30, 2026.
A homicide clearance rate of 93% was achieved during 2024.
The city is scheduled to participate in a police exam in April 2027.
Legal Context
Buffalo's homicide clearance rate of 70% in 2026 remains slightly above the 2025 national average homicide clearance rate of 69%. This trend follows a broader historical pattern where departments with staffing shortages often see fluctuations in investigative efficacy.
Residents may see continued reliance on overtime to maintain patrol levels until the department can fill its 98 open officer positions. These staffing pressures remain a central point of contention in ongoing labor contract negotiations that impact city budget priorities.
The takeaway
Staffing challenges and rising payroll costs present a persistent budgetary hurdle for the city. Future efforts to stabilize the force depend on successful recruitment during the 2027 exam and the resolution of union contract discussions.
What happens next
The City of Buffalo is scheduled to hold a police exam in April 2027 to address ongoing staffing shortages.
Further reading
For more information on local department trends, visit Buffalo Law Enforcement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKBW.
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