HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After efforts to save the Hutchinson Citizens Police Acedemy Program from the budget tax, the police department sent out notice to its officers that the program is being put on hold.

Captain Troy Hoover says, the continued shortage of officers has forced the department to postpone the program. Hoover expressed his disappointment over the news, saying that the program provided close interaction between the department and citizens:

 

 

Hoover says the program isn’t dead and they hope to bring it back once the department can get their numbers up:

 

Anyone that completed the first academy can volunteer to help as needed, which Hoover says will be appreciated. The officers who were in charge of the program will likely be moved back on the streets until more officers can be hired.