DURHAM, N.C. — Police departments across the state have found themselves understaffed over the past few years. But with a constant stream of crime in North Carolina’s major cities, recruiting teams are hard at work finding new officers.


What You Need To Know

  • Police departments across the state are understaffed
  • Police academies like Durham’s are training new recruits
  • The Durham Police Academy gives recruits over 800 hours of training before they can graduate
  • Graduation is in August for those who complete the training

At the Durham Police Academy, new recruits are working hard to learn more about the job. Driving courses are a big part of the academy.

“I’ve been a driving instructor since 2007,” Senior Officer Tom Thrall said. “Honestly, pursuit and precision are my favorite courses.”

Thrall said for 17 years it’s been a fun and important part of the job.

Driving instructor Tom Thrall demonstrates a driving course. (Spectrum News 1)

“It’s our job to make sure the next generation can respond safely and protect the citizens of Durham like they deserve,” Thrall said.

The precision course is one of seven exercises that new recruits have to do during driving school. Recruits have to navigate an obstacle course of cones set up in a large parking lot.

Instructors can reach speeds of up to 60 miles-per-hour and need to make hairpin turns while in pursuit. But if you hit a cone, it’s a five point deduction.

“Here, it’s just cones. But every time you hit a cone, it simulates hitting a curb, hitting another car, some form of traffic crash that a recruit or an officer has been involved in,” Thrall explained.

Recruits start out with slower speeds and smaller maneuvers to get used to a car with so much power. But the last test will be the culmination of everything they’ve learned over the past two weeks.

Aerial view of a driving course at the Durham Police Academy. (Spectrum News 1)

Sergeant Mark Feskanich remembers what it was like going through the academy 15 years ago.

“It’s kind of nerve-wracking. I’m not going to lie,” Feskanich said. “You’re intimidated.”

Driving is just one of the many things new recruits learn over the 22 week intensive training. They’ll also practice things like physical training, traffic stops and firearms.

The state mandates 640 hours in the academy, but in Durham the recruits train for at least 800 hours before they’re able to graduate.

Recruits do physical training every day to prepare for the job. (Spectrum News 1)

“It’s not easy,” Feskanich said. “Sometimes people come into this thinking it's just a job. And it's not just a job.”

Not everyone makes it through, but those who do are welcomed into the family.

“It's like a child,” Feskanich said. “You're watching a child grow up, and that's exactly what you're hearing. You're seeing them develop into a what becomes a police officer.”

Feskanich says it’s a team effort to motivate and prepare the recruits for the job ahead. When they make it to graduation in August, their training officers will look on with pride and support.

Police recruits watch as driving instructors demonstrate an obstacle course. (Spectrum News 1)

“The first day is the best because you get introduced to them,” Feskanich said. “That’s when you really get to be there, be that first impression of what the department is about. And then honestly, it’s the day they graduate, the day that they actually get to get sworn in. And that’s when it all comes together.”

He says the training never truly stops.

“If I was to say that I knew everything about this job,” Feskanich said. “That’s when I know I need to quit.”

The Durham Police Department has 140 vacancies as of May 2. That’s more than 25% of their total positions that are going unfilled. Officers said they are still providing the same level of service to the community, and are working hard to keep it that way.

Other departments around the state are also trying to fill open positions. The Raleigh Police Department has over 100 vacancies and The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department has close to 200.