Indiana Borough councilors weigh hiring three police recruits to address staffing shortfall

At a work session, Indiana Borough staff told council members the borough faces a near-term shortage of police officers and recommended adding three recruits to the next police academy class to sustain patrol coverage.

Manager Sup. briefed council on the staffing picture, saying the borough lost Sergeant Athetherton to retirement last year and currently has one officer out on pregnancy leave. “There’s a 22‑week police academy plus we have 15 to 19 week FTO program,” the manager said, noting that combined training means eight to nine months before a newly hired candidate reaches solo patrol status. Staff also said the top eligible candidate on the civil‑service list carries a military preference and may be deployed partway through the academy, which would delay that hire’s availability further.

To limit gaps, staff proposed hiring three recruits to enter the June academy cohort: one could fill the immediate vacancy, another would provide coverage if the military‑preferred candidate is deployed, and the third could offset a possible future sergeant retirement. Staff explained the payroll impact would be softened because academy trainees are paid at a reduced rate during training and the pending sergeant retirement would reduce long‑term payroll pressure.

Public‑safety chair Luke and other council members said the proposal would be brought to the full council for formal consideration and action so hires could enter the June academy on schedule. No formal motion was made at the work session; staff will place the item on the next council meeting agenda.