Shrinking blue line: Small police departments have trouble finding officers A police chief in Schuylkill County says that his department is increasingly staffed by part-timers, and even part-time officers are hard to find. Author: Marshall Keely (WNEP) Updated: 7:30 PM EDT July 1, 2021 MINERSVILLE, Pa. — Small police departments across the state are running out of officers to patrol the streets. Minersville Police Chief Michael Combs says some have been discouraged. "Most of your officers, the overwhelming majority, are good people just out there trying to do his or her job in a very difficult environment. I think some of them are saying to themselves right now, 'Is it worth it?'" said Chief Combs.