There soon will be a more significant police presence at Iowa’s largest airport. Des Moines police department spokesman Bruce Elrod says the city is reinstating five police positions that were cut from the latest recruiting class. Sergeant Elrod says those additional officers will be assigned to increased security at the Des Moines International Airport. They also plan to immediately start a new class of recruits through the academy once the current class completes training. Elrod says this will dramatically increase the number of officers at the airport. He says there has up to now only been one officer per shift at the airport, the changes will up that to four officers, one sergeant and one police cadet at the airport.He says the increase in the recruit class will not cover all the personnel needed if the increased security continues.Elrod says the airport will reimburse the city for the cost of the additional officers. Elrod doesn’t know if the airport will get any federal money to help in paying for the officers.
