Dec. 23—With police departments across the nation facing staffing shortages and struggling with recruiting, Centralia Police Chief Stacy Denham swore in two new officers into his department in December.

One of the new officers, Josh Strauss, was just hired on as a reserve officer for Centralia.

"He's going to be going through training immediately," Denham told The Chronicle on Thursday, Dec. 21.

The other new hire is Tysen Cooper, who is currently waiting for a class spot to open up at Washington state's Basic Law Enforcement Academy, Denham said.

The two new officers are welcome additions to the force, Denham said. He added there are three other recruits already undergoing training at the academy as well.

"I think the first one graduates in late February. Then the next one's in March and the next one after that is (graduating) in April," Denham said.

For more information on the Centralia Police Department, visit https://www.cityofcentralia.com/254/Police.