The state of Wisconsin currently has the lowest number of law enforcement officers on the job in a decade. As a result, state lawmakers have announced a $25 million-dollar package aimed at recruiting and retaining more law enforcement officers.

Recently, WBAY-TV visited the Public Safety Training Center (PSTC) to learn how the college is taking steps to help address staffing problems. FVTC’s law enforcement academy continually has a waiting list. This fall, the college expanded its law enforcement recruiting class to 32, which is the maximum number the PSTC can accommodate at one time.

Tim Hufschmid, academy director and instructor, explains what he sees from new recruits.

“It’s changed quite a bit. There’s not as much interest as there has been in the past,” Tim says. “But the people who are interested in law enforcement now are extremely dedicated. They’re driven to do this job.”

Read more >> WBAY-TV: Colleges do their part to help alleviate police staffing shortages