CPD set to graduate third in-house academy class, Newly graduated MSHP troopers set to begin duty; both still struggling with staffing numbers
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia Police Department is set to graduate its third recruit class from its in-house training academy launched Nov. 2024.
The 14 Police Officers in Training will graduate January 16th, 2026 and add their names to the list of the other 21 students from the academy's first two classes from March and Aug. of 2025.
However, even with its new members the department is sitting at around 17 vacancies for its sworn positions and 18 vacancies for its civilian positions, according to Lt. Clint Sinclair, with CPD.
Following graduation from the academy, the incoming officers will still have to go through field training. That means another four to five months until they can work on their own.
CPD isn't the only law enforcement agency struggling with staffing in the Mid Missouri area. The Missouri State Highway Patrol tells ABC 17 News it has 133 vacancies across its nine troops, according to Capt. Scott White.
On Friday, the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy held its graduation for 25 new troopers. The troopers of the 124th recruit class will report to duty for their assigned troops on Jan. 5, 2026.
