GUYTON, Ga. () – A local police force is in urgent need of quality talent, with just two officers left.

The Guyton Police Department (GPD) is actively recruiting new officers to fill their ranks, according to Guyton Police Chief Kelphie Lundy.

“The people I’m looking for have to have integrity and good character to come work at the Guyton Police Department,” he said. “I’m not going to fill a position just to have a warm body just to have a police car and a badge.”

The department has been under Lundy’s supervision since last May.

He started with fewer than ten officers. Since that time, Lundy said two were fired, and the others resigned to pursue other opportunities.

“We’re going to get good people that want to come in and serve this community and serve them right,” Lundy said.

GPD put up a job posting recently with starting pay of $23 per hour.

“It’s a tough job. It takes a special person to do it. They probably need to work on better pay and better benefits,” Tripp, a Guyton resident, said.

In the meantime, the Guyton Police Department is working with other local law enforcement agencies to fill the gaps.

“The citizens of Guyton aren’t going to go short just because we are short-handed. We do have Effingham County Sheriff’s Office helping us on a daily basis,” Lundy said, “Also, Springfield and Rincon Police Departments. So, it’s a real collaboration between all of us in this county.”