Retiring officers, lagging benefits packages and stiff competition from other law enforcement agencies could complicate a police recruitment push in Fairfax County, said a top department official.

The bundle of factors could prove to be an obstacle to fulfilling growing needs for police staff, according to Ed Roessler, commander of the Administrative Support Bureau. The Fairfax County Police Department is competing with Northern Virginia departments in Loudoun and Prince William counties, but also the Capitol Police, U.S. Park Police and Maryland agencies, he said.