The Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff's Department recently asked for stimulus funding to add eight more officers in Butte, according to Sheriff John Walsh. But the state approved only two.

That's why a group of 37 people entered the Butte Civic Center Tuesday, vying for two spots on the local law enforcement team.

The prospective policemen were asked to complete an obstacle course, which tests the strength and agility required in foot chases and other stressful situations common to the job. It is the first time the Montana Physical Agility Test has been administered for police recruiting in the Treasure State.

Butte-Silver Bow officer Anthony Jurenick says the new regimen is a more adequate approach to testing. 

"I think it's a little harder. I think these guys are going to find out that it is a lot harder than the last test. It's a lot more fair and accurate, a lot more orientated toward the job as opposed to how the last test was. There's no gender. It's not gender specific or age specific, so they've all got a time limit they've got to achieve to get under," Jurenick said.

Police captains George Skuletich and Doug Conway looked on along with Sheriff John Walsh who will interview those who excel in physical and written testing and also clearing a thorough background check.

We'll keep you up to date on which two hopefuls are chosen to be the newest members of the local police force.