The Knoxville Police Department has started the process of hiring a new police officer. A 13th officer was approved for the department as part of the new budget for next fiscal year. Chief Dan Losada tells KNIA/KRLS News that they’ve had requests for almost 50 applications as of earlier this week. He says that there’s been a good mixture of local and non-local people as well as people with law enforcement experience and those without. The Knoxville Police Department will continue to accept applications until May 18th. Chief Losada says he wants to have the new officer hired so they can begin on July 1st.