NEW YORK An increase in police officers stepping away from the NYPD, either to retire or work elsewhere, has reportedly reached new heights. The number of cops who have filed to leave before reaching full-pension-eligibility offered at 20 years of service has reached nearly 2,000 so far this year, compared to 641 at the same time last year, according to the latest pension fund stats obtained byThe New York Post.

An officer's full pension can total 50% of their final three years' average salary.

A total of 2,465NYPDofficers have filed to leave the department this year after 1,731 filed the same request at this time last year, data shows.

"This exodus is the result of cops in the prime of their careers deciding they have had enough," saidPolice Benevolent AssociationPresidentPatrick Lynchin a statement posted Sunday on social media. "They are leaving for other opportunities where they're paid better, treated better and have a better quality of life."

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the current police recruitment and retention crisis.

Come up with Five innovative plans to stem the exodus of veteran LEOs.