Estonian police and border guard, alongside rescue services, are experiencing critical staffing shortages due to a disparity between retiring employees and new recruits. Officials from both the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) and the Rescue Services Agency attribute this issue primarily to uncompetitive salaries. The agencies report difficulty attracting qualified candidates, leading to potential gaps in essential public safety services. This recruitment challenge poses a long-term threat to maintaining adequate operational capacity. Without addressing compensation, the situation is expected to worsen as more experienced personnel retire. The agencies are signaling a need for government intervention to revise salary scales and bolster recruitment efforts. This shortfall impacts the nation’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies and maintain border security.