More policemen in Budapest are turning in their badges than ever before. Long work hours and some of the lowest salaries for law enforcement officers in the European Union have diminished the morale of the rank and file.

Many are concerned that a shortage of patrol officers could lead to a spike in crime.

Kalman Horvat no longer walks his police beat. For eight years, he wore the uniform of the Budapest Police Department and patrolled some of the toughest streets in the city.

He says he became disillusioned with the work conditions at the department and had to make a choice between doing the job he loved or earning a better living.

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"If you don't have a partner, wife or live with other colleagues to share the cost, it's impossible to make it," said Horvat. The former Budapest police officer is not the only one to be disillusioned with the profession. Currently, there are 4,500 vacancies in the entire force, according to the Budapest Police Union.

It says some of those posts might never be filled if salaries are not improved. The union claims some city districts have 25 percent fewer officers - compared to the number of policemen on patrol two years ago.

"Compared to other European countries, the police profession is not respected as it should be by our legislators," said Kedves Erzsebet, President of the National Police Association.

"There is a lack of training. We used to have hazard insurance in case of injuries or death but even that is gone."

The starting salary of police officers in Hungary is $730 per month, compared to the EU average of $3,000 a month for new officers. But the Budapest Police Department says its officers received a 10 percent pay increase two years ago and is working to increase its current staffing levels. It indicates that the number of patrols on the city streets is sufficient to ensure public safety and the wellbeing of their officers.

However, low wages are not the only reason why so many police officers are quitting. Hungary's government changed the retirement age - previously officers could start receiving their pensions at 50 but now they must serve in the force until they are 65.

Horvat has picked up a new beat since he left the force and turned his passion for Argentine tango into a profitable business.

"I'm selling every kind of dance shoes for Latin dancing, Ballroom dancing, but mostly Argentine Tango shoes and Argentine tango fashion," said Horvat.

And he says former colleagues are looking abroad for opportunities.

"In Czechia, they were looking for new police officers, they were advertising the positions with a very good salary, at least twice the Hungarian officer's average salaries," said Horvat.

With his policing days behind him, Horvat says the only beat he now wants to follow is the one that is keeping everyone moving on the dance floor.

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