Story Published:
Jul 7, 2009 at 5:52 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jul 7, 2009 at 5:52 PM CDT
SPRINGFIELD -- The city police and fire departments hope to boost their numbers by 15. A new batch of recruits started training on Tuesday in a push to restock the ranks.
The goal is precision, the tone is serious and the job is desperately needed.
"The funding is just not there right now," said Lt. Kirk Manlove with the Springfield Police Department. "We understand that and we're doing the best we can, but we're shorthanded."
For that reason, the City of Springfield allotted money toward a police and fire academy. Five men are now training for fire protection; nine men and one woman are police recruits.
"We hope all 10 graduate, but we may lose one or two along the way," said Manlove.
The department says that's common but, in this economy, it could be costly for both the city, which needs officers, and those who need the jobs.
"If we have two or three drop out, then we'll take a step back and do a very small academy," said Springfield City Manager Greg Burris. "But we have to balance that with the staff time that is required."
Still, Springfield PD is down 36 full-time sworn officers, a number it's ready to reduce.
"This will be helpful. It won't put us flush but it'll be better than 46," said Manlove.
