Calling in the National Guard and federal law enforcement isnt a solution its a signal that the system has cracked.Chicago is learning the hard way what happens when outdated police hiring practices collide with political cuts. Since 2019, more than2,100 police positions have been eliminated, while the city added layers of bureaucracy. The Chicago Police Department (CPD) still has795 unfilled vacancies, compounded by833 position cuts under Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and614 by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot. The result: President Donald Trump is nowsending in the National Guard to cover gaps created by years of slow hiring pipelines, endless vacancies and deliberate downsizing.Memphis tells the same story. The citys police force is at itslowest level in two decades, leaving patrols thinner, response times slower and detectives drowning inunsustainable caseloads.Temporary federal surges can help in the moment, but they dont rebuild a police force or restore long-term safety. National Guard troopsarent trained to investigate murders, de-escalate volatile domestic calls, or build trust with residents. Their presence is proof of failure, not a strategy for success.The problem is deeper than just headcount. Police hiring itself isoutdated. Anational survey found that the single biggest reason applicants walk away isnt pay its bureaucracy. Paper applications, months-long background checks and silence from recruiters leave motivated candidates in limbo. By the time departments finally respond, those recruits have already taken jobs elsewhere. A broken process is bleeding away willing officers.CHICAGO COPS STRUGGLE TO STAFF STREETS AS TRUMP PRESSES ON CRIMEToo many agencies have responded by lowering standards. Illinois, Kentucky, New York and Texas are all experimenting with rolling back requirements in a desperate attempt to fill cars. Thats a terrible gamble. Watering down qualifications erodes professionalism and undermines public trust. The badge is not just another job its a profession that demands skill, discipline and community confidence. Americans dont want a lower bar;they want qualified, trained and committed officers.Theres a better answer. The private sector fixed this problem years ago.Applicant tracking systems now manage hiring pipelines in every industry streamlining paperwork, keeping candidates informed and moving qualified applicants through quickly. If retailers can process thousands of job applications in weeks, theres no reason it should take a police department months to onboard a recruit. Agencies that use these toolscan boost their applicant pool, resulting in fewer dropouts, better communication and more academy seats filled. Those that dont will be stuck in a cycle of attrition.Tennessee shows what it looks like when leaders take hiring seriously. RepublicanRep. John GillespiesH.B. 1445 invests directly in recruitment, whileGovernor Bill Lee has committed$175 million to strengthen public safety across the state. That money isnt just going to short-term troop surges its aimed at modernizing how police departments hire and retain people. Tennessee is showing that the future of public safety depends on building stronger pipelines, not relying on soldiers to fill in the gaps.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONMeanwhile, communities are paying the price when cities refuse to adapt.Longer 911 wait timesmean crimes in progress are left unchecked.Overloaded detectives miss leads, which delays justice for victims. Stretched patrol shifts leave neighborhoods vulnerable. This isnt abstract its the daily reality in cities like Chicago and Memphis whereunder-staffed, burned-out officers cant keep pace. Residents feel the difference every time they dial 911 and wait.Heres the bottom line: Troops in the streets are a last resort for a reason. Chicago proves what happens when hiring lags and politics cut deeper into the ranks. Eventually, soldiers replace cops. The fix isnt more deployments; its smarter, faster hiring pipelines that rebuild departments with the officers communities deserve. Until cities modernize recruitment, theyll keep repeating Chicagos mistake: losing cops to red tape and replacing them with troops.