A local police department says they’re having trouble getting people to sign up to be an officer.

 

Altoona Police Department has seen a steady decline over the years in enrollment numbers.

 

Lieutenant Jeff Pratt said that when he signed up over 15 years ago, he was one of at least 100 applicants trying to get the same job, but now, he said the most recent pool of applicants only included 12 people and of those 12, he said only six or seven will be eligible.  

 

“What we have become is a fertile training ground for both the Pennsylvania State Police and some of the more affluent townships and municipalities within the region,” Pratt said.

 

Only two applicants are expected to be hired before the process starts all over again to fill a rotation of open positions.