CLARKSVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) -- Retirements, resignations and fewer people willing to wear the badge.

The Indiana State Police department said its about 200 troopers short.

In the past, state police had at least a thousand new applicants every year. Those days are gone. It's a struggle to get people to apply. In fact, just 10 people showed up Friday evening for the hiring seminar in Clarksville at Bass Pro Shops.

ISP hosts hiring seminar Friday in Clarksville at Bass Pro Shops

ISP recently increased salaries. Positions now range from $70,000 to $112,000 a year. And, there's a $5,000 signing bonus.

The perception of policing, dangers of the job, and the treatment officers endure, it's all caused people to question a career in law enforcement.

"It was a dream to be a cop," Jason Portillio, who attended Friday's recruitment event, said.

It's why agencies like Indiana State Police have to look harder for people like Jason Portillio.

"It's not a job for everybody, and I feel like it is for me. I guess just like the way my life has been. I feel like I am able to be a help to people or the community," Portillio said.

The 20-year-old car wash manager drove from Indianapolis to meet current troopers and get questions answered about the profession in-person. One of those questions was pay.

ISP recently increased salaries. Position salaries now range from $70,000 to $112,000 a year. And, there's a $5,000 signing bonus.

"Several officers will be retiring in the next few years, and that's going to leave more opening. So, we really want those qualified people," ISP Sgt. Carey Huls said.

Police agencies on both sides of the river and all across the country are fighting the decline in officers. LMPD and Kentucky state police both have hundreds of openings.

"Our recruitment branch has been working very hard at trying to help us get good, qualified candidates and increase our number of troopers," Sgt. Matt Sudduth, with KSP's Public Affairs Branch in Frankfort, said in Feburary.

Its forced police departments to compete with each other.

"This is a career. It's not just a job. It's part of being a family. So if you're a team player, and you have that intellect to help people but also integrity and empathy for other people. This is a great place to look," Sgt. Huls said.

There are opportunities all across the Hoosier state. ISP needs cyber crime investigators, pilots, and hostage negotiators; in addition to the every day trooper.

"We're selective, we want the right people we want people who are dedicated, you know, to helping other educated have the right mindset, generally just the kind of people who want to go out and serve, but have integrity at the same time," Huls said.

ISP hosts hiring seminar Friday in Clarksville at Bass Pro Shops

Jason Portillio attended Friday's Indiana State Police recruitment event to meet Sergeant Carey Huls and Sergeant Seth Rainey.

You must be at least 21 years old with a GED or high school diploma and live in Indiana to apply. The application deadline is Oct. 18, 2023.

Huls said once the application is submitted, you'll complete a physical and written exam. The academy starts in February. Graduation for the 85th Recruit Academy class takes place in July 2024.

"We encourage people to start early so that way if you have something you need to redo or if you have some questions you have time to handle that," Huls said.

Huls also said they are open to discussing geographical assignment locations. Those who attended Friday's hiring event asked if they could pick where to work.

"We have a requirement about willing to reside anywhere in Indiana, but every post, especially right on here, Sellersburg we need people here. If you're from this area, the odds of you coming to this area very, extremely high. So if somebody wants to live in Central Indiana, there are job openings in Central Indiana. If they want to live down here in southern Indiana. Yes, we have those jobs," Huls said.

For application information, click here. You can also call: 812-306-6608, or email ISP Sgt. Seth Rainey at srainey@isp.in.gov for more information.

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