MOORHEAD (KFGO) - Moorhead Police Chief Dave Ebinger says his department is in a tight spot.
He says the department is down about 20 officers as a result of a variety of factors ranging from staff leaving for better paying jobs and military deployments to officers side-lined from patrol duties due to injuries.
Ebinger says there's fierce competition for qualified applicants from larger cities, not only from the Twin Cities but from Fargo.
Three new officers were sworn in Friday and 4 other candidates are undergoing background checks and the budget calls for two new positions this year.
Ebinger says that will help but won't solve the shortage. However, none will be able to hit the streets until they complete training.
The police department is looking at some options to help in the short term. That may include using Clay County Sheriff's deputies and discontinuing some services such as unlocking vehicles.