PIERRE, S.D. (KWAT) — The South Dakota Highway Patrol is launching a new recruitment tool called the Fast Track Academy.

Patrol Colonel Rick Miller says the idea is to identify those who are already certified law enforcement officers who might be interested in joining the patrol.

He says they can be trained in about 3 ½ months, compared to the standard academy training period of six months.

He says they’re not trying to “raid” other law enforcement agencies of their good people.

Miller says they’re short a few more patrol officers than normal right now, and part of that is because of how mobile people are in the workforce.

The application deadline for the Fast Track Academy is April 27. Successful graduates will receive a $5,000 hiring bonus.