The Lake City Police Department will need to wait another four months for their two newest officers to attend the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA). Administrator, Eric Wood, says the city had been optimistic the officers, Tony Snyder and Aaron Alspach, would be able to attend the first ILEA class of the year starting Jan. 4. Wood says that unfortunately did not go as planned.

The city could send both officers to the May 3 through Aug. 20 academy, but that would leave Interim Police Chief, Tom Steinborn, as the only fulltime certified officer for nearly four months. Wood says they would need to rely heavily on their reserve officers and nearby law enforcement agencies if that is the route the council chooses.

The council has not yet decided how they wish to proceed with the certifications and is exploring their options. According to Wood, Iowa law allows these officers to serve on the department through December before certification is required, so they do have some flexibility for when they can attend the ILEA.

Regardless of the council’s decision, the department will likely need to employ additional reserve officers on a temporary basis. Wood encourages members of local police departments or county sheriff’s offices who are interested in picking up extra hours in the near future to contact Lake City Hall at 712-464-3111.