June 23rd, 2022 by WCBC Radio

Police departments across the nation are facing an uphill battle to protect communities as they grapple with staffing shortages, rampant crime and widespread anti-police rhetoric. Efforts to hire additional police officers continue in Cumberland. In the past few months residents have voiced concerns about vagrancy, drug trafficking and assaults. Police Chief Chuck Ternent says that the department tries to maintain a staff of 50 officers- but that can prove challenging at times due to retirements and other forms of attrition. Councilman Joe George lsat week attended his first Maryland Municipal League Conference since his appointment and said law enforcement staffing issues was a common concern he heard…