BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The Bakersfield Police Department is nearing full staffing capacity after 33 new officers graduated from the police academy, bringing the department closer to being fully staffed.

The department has used funding from Measure N, also known as the Public Safety and Vital Services Measure , to recruit and retain qualified applicants through innovative programs, according to department officials. Chief Terry highlighted the success of their mentorship program and engagement strategies.

"The mentorship program, but we also have voluntary workouts. During the course of the hiring process, the mentors will constantly engage the applicant, and we also host volunteer workouts in the evenings and on the weekends because it is a very physically strenuous academy," Ter

See Full Page