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Chief Ternent reports Police Departments are facing staffing issues statewide

August 31st, 2022 by WCBC Radio

Like many industries, local police departments are facing staffing issues and you can include Cumberland on that list. The department tries to maintain a staffing level of around 50 officers- but retirements and sick leave oftens finds that number much lower.  Earlier this summer Police Chief Chuck Ternent reported that his department was down 8 officers and while there have been recruitment efforts ongoing, there hasn’t been much success as the shortage is a statewide, regional and national problem. Despite the shortage, Ternent says the crime numbers are actually down across the board…