The program is offered to commanders down through the ranks. Out of those 200 applicants, it includes 175 officers, 31 sergeants, 11 lieutenants and five commanders.

With the program moving forward, there’s more concern during a time when the department is already understaffed. In 2021, 140 officers left the department with just 50 hired, 10TV reports.

“The division is going to have to do something. We are already down several hundred officers. I question losing another 100 tenured people and supervisors that are tenured and know how to run this place,” Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge #9 President Keith Ferrell said.

The 100 members who are selected will have their retirements staggered out through the summer.