May 21, 2018

Mayor Emanuel And CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson Welcome New Recruits, New Detectives

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Department (CPD) Superintendent Eddie Johnson today welcomed 100 new police recruits to the Department's Training Academy, another step in the city’s plan to grow CPD by nearly 1,000 officers. CPD today also welcomes 100 newly promoted detectives to begin their training.

“The officers and detectives being trained at the Academy today will be critical to keeping Chicagoans in every community safe this summer and throughout the year,” said Mayor Emanuel. “We are not only growing the Department and adding more resources to bring bring justice to victims, we’re also making investments in our youth that create more after school programs, summer jobs, and mentorship opportunities to support positive choices for their futures.”

The hiring plan will continue as scheduled into the summer. The Department has 1,095 more sworn members today than at the beginning of 2017. Since January 2017, more than 1,600 new recruits have entered the Academy to begin their police careers under the hiring plan. Today’s Detective promotions will bring that rank to a total of 370, and will aid in efforts to bring justice to victims. A police exam administered earlier this month invited more than 8,000 qualified candidates and continue these ongoing recruitment efforts.

“The latest classes of new recruits and detectives are part of our continued commitment to giving our neighborhoods the resources they need to reduce crime, solve more cases, and build strong partnerships with community residents,” said CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson. “They will receive the latest and best training based upon best practices in law enforcement that have an emphasis on de-escalation tactics, use of technology, and cultural awareness. With each class that hits the streets, we are making CPD a better agency for every Chicagoan.”

The Police Department is not only growing in total size, but is also more diverse today than ever before. CPD has the most diverse leadership in Department’s history and this new class builds on the progress that has been made, as the group of new recruits are 66% minority. This group of new recruits also includes 12 veterans and 44 CPS graduates.

During six months of training at Police Academy, recruits learn all applicable laws and protocols for being a Chicago Police Officer. In addition to physical training, they receive instruction in procedural justice, mental health awareness, crisis intervention and de-escalation, use of force, community building and critical thinking. When recruits graduate from the Academy, they will be detailed as probationary police officers to their district of assignment for one year, which includes cycles of assignment with a Field Training Officer (FTO). The Detectives are entering the Academy for eight weeks of training.

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