Budget cuts are forcing the Des Moines Police Department to delay this year’s police academy — indefinitely. Officials say the department typically starts the application process in November and the academy begins in July. Currently, the entire process in on hold, with no word on when it might begin.
Police spokesman Sgt. Vince Valdez says that puts the department, which is already suffering from a shortage of officers, in a deeper hole. “We’re short right now. We should obviously have more people. But a lot of that has to do with …