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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro laid out his administration’s plan to invest in public safety by ensuring police departments are well-trained, well-equipped, and well-staffed when he visited the ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵapp University Municipal Police Training Academy in North East on Thursday.

Police departments across the nation and the commonwealth are facing serious challenges in filling their ranks. To address these critical workforce shortages, Shapiro is proposing several incentives, among them a tax refundable credit of up to $2,500 for up to three years for anyone who earns a new certificate in law enforcement or returns to Pennsylvania to work. Similar incentives are being offered to teachers and nurses.

According to the governor’s office, Pennsylvania is short more than 1,200 municipal police officers, and fewer Pennsylvanians are applying to be police officers. Shapiro’s budget proposals aim to encourage more Pennsylvanians to join the cadets at the state’s 16 training academies. His budget also supports the Pennsylvania State Police, while going one step beyond.

In northwest Pennsylvania, more than 25 percent of all 911 dispatch jobs are also vacant. Last year, Erie County dropped 1,167 calls due to its EMS shortage. Gov. Shapiro’s budget invests in 911 dispatch services and creates a sustainable funding source that keeps up with the cost of living so more dispatchers can be hired.

While at ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵapp’s police academy, Shapiro met with cadets and local dignitaries and also spoke at a news conference.

Dr. Joanne Hosey-McGurk, vice president for academic affairs, opened the press conference and welcomed the governor. President Kathleen Getz, Ph.D., was unable to attend as she was the keynote speaker at Thursday’s Women in Leadership Impact Luncheon hosted by the Manufacturer and Business Association.

Also attending for ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵapp were Vice President for Advancement Sam McCrimmon, Dr. John Olszowka and Brian Fuller, dean and operations director, respectively, Ridge College of Intelligence Studies & Applied Sciences, and Police Academy Director Bill Hale.