WILLIAMSPORT -- It may only be her second day working for the Williamsport Bureau of Police, but Officer Laura Miller is already on the road patrolling with her training officer.
"Being a new officer regardless is nice. A little nerve-racking,” said Laura Miller.
Miller is one of two new officers who started work in Williamsport just this week. By the end of the month, the chief of police hopes to have a third new officer on the streets and two in training.
"That is something we haven't been able to do in quite some time for the simple fact that we haven't established a long enough list to draw candidates from for the past few years," said Chief Gregory Foresman.
Chief Foresman says the city has budgeted for 51 officers this year. With the two new hires the department now has 47 officers, but a few of those plan to retire soon.
"That puts a little more burden on our officers who are working below man power," said Chief Foresman.
A few familiar faces will be retiring this year. Chief Foresman hopes to hire nine new officers by the end of 2015.
“Push was on to try and get these officers on as soon as possible, to get them up and trained, get them a little experience before we have other experience going out the door,” said Chief Foresman.
"If they feel as though they need more officers around here then go ahead and do it,” said William Everett.
Everett used to live in Philadelphia. He says the crime rate is much lower in Williamsport, but there is always a need for more protection.
“More officers here would be a good thing. It would be a good thing for officers to be here," said Everett.
The department plans to use federal grant money to pay for some of the new officers. Once that money is used, Chief Foresman says the city can either reapply for the grant or it may need to downsize.
