(La Porte, IN) - A longtime police officer in the city of La Porte is retiring.  Corporal Dan Reed has been here for 27-years.  Police Chief Paul Brettin said Reed has decided to work security full-time at a local hospital.

The police department has struggled for years to maintain an adequate number of officers.  Low pay has long been an issue but more recently the intensive scrutiny given to law enforcement hasn’t helped with turnover.  Mayor Tom Dermody said it’s a problem that has to be addressed.

At one time, the LaPorte Police Department had 46 officers but now has 31.  Several new officers are on their way but they have to complete several months of training before hitting the streets.