DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Police departments across Illinois have been struggling with hiring new officers since the start of the pandemic in 2020. The Decatur Police Department is hoping to see the situation turn around in 2025.
Decatur, Illinois Police Chief Shane Brandel. January 2, 2025.
On the second day of the year five new officers were sworn in. By the end of January, due to retirements, the department will be about nine officers short. Chief Shane Brandel hopes an upcoming training class in the spring will see the situation improve.
“Things look positive for the potential May class with the applications and the screenings that we’re going through right now. We are really hoping by the end of the year, in ’25, that we’re going to be in a much better position,” Brandel told WAND News. “As you mentioned it’s been a struggle for the last 4 years.”
Training for the officers takes place in Decatur.
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