Petersburg Police Department remains short staffed

The Petersburg Police Department is looking forward to moving into the newly renovated municipal building, but in the meantime the department is just looking to become fully staffed, according to Chief Kelly Swihart.

“We are a little short staffed,” he says. “Right now we have 15 full-time equivalents assigned.”

The department made budget cuts during the last budget cycle, under the direction of the borough manager, resulting in cross-training staff. The training focused on reducing gaps the department needed to cover, and having officers trained to complete dispatch and work on the street.

“A...