LORDSTOWN, Ohio - The Lordstown Police Department is trying to avoid a staffing shortage. 

Currently, the department has 11 police officers, which is a full staff, but with some expected to retire in the near future and others potentially moving on to other jobs they say they need at least two more. 

“We’re like everybody else. I think everybody’s struggling with manpower issues,” Captain Chris Bordonaro said. 

With Lordstown being a small department, losing just a few officers makes scheduling tough. To keep the village safe around the clock, officers are forced to work overtime to cover all the shifts.

“To keep two guys on the road at all times, afternoon to midnights, that means guys are staying over and officers are coming in early to work and at some point that becomes a little much for anybody to do that,” Bordonaro said.

The department has enough equipment for more officers but funding is something they'll have to talk to the village council about. 

With other major cities like Cleveland offering a more competitive pay , captain Bordonaro says it's hard to get applications in.

“It's a really great place to work,” Bordonaro said. “Good pay and it's a good job and we're always looking for well qualified people.”

Bordonaro said the hiring process will kick up in the new year. Anyone interested can stop by the police department on 1583 Salt Springs Road to fill out an application.