Bill would pay training costs at small police departments struggling to recruit

MADISON (NBC 26) — Small police departments struggling to recruit new officers could get help covering the cost of training under a bipartisan bill in the state Legislature.

With fewer applicants and increased retirements, 81% of Midwestern law enforcement agencies say it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find new officers, according to a survey last year by the International Association of Chiefs of Police .

Earlier this year, a western Wisconsin police department was left without officers after all five of its officers resigned within a matter of months.

Watch: Bill would pay training costs at small police departments struggling to recruit Lawmakers take aim at police hiring struggles

“Hiring’s a problem no matter the size of the agency, but it’s amplified with the smaller