IN A REPORT BY WTAJ, SGT. MATT PLUMMER OF THE ALTOONA POLICE DEPT TELLS OF THE SITUATION WHERE RECRUITING NEW CANDIDATES FOR THE DEPT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT, AND HE SAYS THAT AN EVERY OTHER YEAR TESTING PROCESS HAS BECOME A YEARLY EVENT, WITH SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RECRUIT NEW CANDIDATES. HE SAYS THE NUMBERS ARE CONTINUING TO TREND DOWNWARD, WHERE BETWEEN 100 TO 200 PEOPLE WOULD APPLY, NOW THAT IS DOWN TO MAYBE 20. THE CITY IS LOOKING TO HIRE TWO NEW OFFICERS TO FILL OUT THEIR COMPLIMENT TO 66. FEDERAL MONIES COMING TO THE CITY WILL ENABLE ALTOONA TO INCREASE ITS POLICE FORCE IN THE COMING YEARS.
