Hollywood’s police department could be down dozens of officers by year’s end because of routine turnover and retirements.

Currently, the police department, with its 335 sworn officers, is down 31 positions — 20 of which have been frozen for two years. Another 11 police officers have been hired but are in training, leaving roughly 290 officers on the street and in specialized units.

Union members say it’s only going to get worse because of recent budget and pension cuts, which will make it difficult for the department to retain new officers. Starting salaries for Hollywood police officers are among the lowest in South Florida.

“We may be able to hire them, but we aren’t going to be able to keep them,” said Union President Jeff Marano. “We are going to become a training ground.”

Police Chief Chad Wagner said Friday that attrition, coupled with officers leaving for reasons including pay and benefit cuts, has been a challenge for the department, but the city is being covered and hiring has not been a problem.

“We are in a transition period now,” said Wagner, who says he has a list of 150 applicants.

Wagner said the city’s problem dates back to 1982 and 1983 when the city hired about 50 officers. Now, many of the officers are set to retire under pension guidelines. From February through next January, 21 officers will have to retire, leaving an already down department with more vacancies.

And while the city is hiring to fill the vacancies, one of the challenges, Wagner said, is it takes a while to get an officer approved and trained and then on the street. Once an applicant passes several tests including a psychological exam and a polygraph test, they then go into the academy for about six months and then the city’s training program for about three.

But that does not mean the city is not covered, said Wagner. He said filling routine patrol squads always comes first.

“My top priority is to keep a full staffing on the road,” he said.

Some units, including the motorcycle unit and detective unit have openings, while the department is down officers. With fewer detectives, it might take longer for cases to be handled, he said.

Marano said that while attrition is a problem, there is the added issue of officers leaving because of pension and benefit cuts that took place in September. He said the exodus will continue if things don’t change.

“The word is out there that in Hollywood the pay is low and the pension is the worst,” said Marano.

In closing a $38 million budget gap for this fiscal year, city leaders last year made drastic changes to employees’ benefits and salaries. The changes were made after voters in September approved a pension referendum that increased the number of years an officer would have to work in order to pay. It also changed the formula used to calculate retirement pay.

At one point, the city threatened layoffs, but ended up saving the positions.

One officer, who received a pink slip, decided to leave before he could get fired.

Officer Yahmed Yema, 27, who now works for the Miramar Police Department, said he couldn’t afford to take the chance of losing his job.

“I have a family and mortgage and I couldn’t risk it,” said Yema, who began with Hollywood in January 2010.

Yema said he would have stayed if it weren’t for the uncertainty of job stability, along with the cuts to pay and benefits.

“I didn’t want to leave; I was forced to leave,” he said.

Hollywood is not alone in facing pension reform and other cuts, but pay and benefits are among the lowest compared to neighboring cities.

The starting salary in Fort Lauderdale is $54,808; Pembroke Pines, $48,755; and Miramar, $49,276. Hollywood officers start at $42,417 .

Sunny Isles Beach Police Chief Fred Maas, a past president of the Dade Chief’s Association, said budget woes are forcing departments statewide to make cuts.

However, he said he is seeing some departments, including his own, add new positions.

Hollywood’s Wagner said it is extremely important to be competitive with neighboring cities.

“The city is looking very strongly to try restore the benefits that were lost,” said Wagner. “It is a priority for the city.”

Mayor Peter Bober agreed, adding that while the city has to live within its means, being competitive with other cities is important.

“We have to find a balance,” he said. “Bottom line is we will hire new officers.”