By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Police say 278 people applied to join the force during a recent recruiting effort.

Police chief Brendan Heffner told WJBC’s Susan Saunders that’s 44 percent more than the number who tested last year.

PODCAST: Listen to Susan’s interview with Heffner and Mayer on WJBC.

“We really reached out so we are hoping to have another good list of applicants to go through the process,” Heffner said.

Heffner said once applicants pass written and physical exams and are interviewed, those remaining would complete a 14-week police academy in Springfield.

“It will be cut in half if not more,” Heffner said.

Heffner said he’s been working with a short staff. The department currently has 119 officers, nine short of what’s in the department’s budget.

That does not count the number of people we have injured,” Heffner said. “We are pretty lean, we are doing a lot of robbing Peter to pay Paul to get the job done.”

Heffner said those who complete the police academy would be eligible for hire for one year, in case there are more eligible applicants than available jobs.

Public affairs officer Sara Mayer said it was too soon to offer a breakdown of female and minority hires. Heffner has said previously the department was looking to increase diversity in its officer ranks.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].