SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The South Hutchinson Police Department is almost fully staffed. Newly-hired Police Chief Dean Harcrow tells Hutch Post that he has hired two officers who will begin duties next week.

The new officers are former Hutchinson police officer Darrin Pickering and former Reno County sheriff’s deputy Lee Johnson. Harcrow has already hired former sheriff’s deputy T.J. Perez.

Applications are being looked over for a fourth officer, which would bring the department to full staff. Harcrow says he is looking over several applications and hopes to have that officer hired by mid- to late April.

The department has been short-staffed since several officers resigned shortly after the South Hutchinson City Council voted not to reappoint former Chief Mark Thompson in January.

Harcrow was hired by the city council in February.