The Great Bend Police Department has come a long way since last summer in attempts to bulking up its staff. In June of 2017, it was reported that the Police Department was operating with 25 employees, five short of a full staff.
Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis says the Police Department hired another officer and will be fully staffed near the end of the month.
Kendal Francis Audio
The Great Bend City Council approved additional officer positions within the budget, and now the Police Department has 33 officers. The 33rd officer will start on August 27, meaning that four of the 33 officers will be in training.
Police Chief David Bailey says the new hires go through 13 weeks of classroom training followed by 12 weeks of field training. At some point, the officers will have to spend an additional 14 weeks at the police academy in Hutchinson.