Staff shortages are effecting businesses and services all over the Tri-Cities, including our police forces.

Currently, the Pasco Police Department has five openings, Kennewick has 12, including seven officers, Richland has nine, West Richland two and the Benton County Sheriff's Office has 12, including the Sheriff and Undersheriff.

"So because of COVID, 2020 was a hard year where there was no testing to be a police officer and because of that we didn't have quality applicants and we had to wait until testing reopened," said Pasco PD Resource Sergeant and Recruiter Rigo Pruneda. "Once testing reopened here in 2021 we're starting to fill some of those spots."

Sergeant Pruneda says the hiring process can take anywhere from three to four months and although the Pasco PD is running normally, filling those five vacancies would certainly allow for more breathing room.

For more information on how to apply to Richland PD, click here.

To apply for Pasco PD text "JOINPPD" to (509) 779-8848