Mayor Rahm Emanuel today joined Chicago Police Department (CPD) Superintendent Eddie Johnson in welcoming 84 new police recruits to the Department's Training Academy. This class marks the latest progress on the Department’s hiring plan to add nearly 1000 officers over the next two years.
 
“I commend and congratulate all the new officers who have made the choice to join the Police Department today, united by a strong sense of dedication and duty to the City of Chicago,” said Mayor Emanuel. “As officers go through new training at the Academy and learn to leverage new tools and technology on their beats, they not only patrol and protect communities but also are a part of communities."

During the six-month police academy, recruits learn all applicable laws and protocols for being a Chicago Police Officer. In addition to physical training, they also receive extensive instruction in crisis intervention, de-escalation, use of force, community building and critical thinking. CPD is adding a state of the art scenario-based curriculum so that officers receive the highest quality training for the complex challenges that await them.
 
"I am excited to welcome yet another group of new recruits who have answered the call to serve as we enact reforms that will help us to rebuild community trust, allow our officers to do their jobs more safely and make Chicago safer," said Superintendent Johnson. "This group represents a sustained commitment to our two-year hiring plan and they will be the next generation of police officers that will help shape the future of the Department."
 
Last year, Superintendent Johnson announced a plan to add 500 police officers, 200 detectives, 92 field training officers, 112 sergeants, and 50 lieutenants for a total of 970 new positions over the next two years, in addition to the existing vacancies. To fulfill this goal, the Training Academy began matriculating new recruits every month since the beginning of the year. A partnership between the Chicago Police Department, the City Colleges of Chicago and DeVry University will expand CPD's training capacity for new recruits and existing members of the Department.

Last month, the Department held the third Police Entry Exam under the Emanuel Administration. More than 16,500 residents who applied were invited to take the exam over two days at McCormick Place. This was the culmination of the City’s recruitment campaign, “Be the Change,” which reflects the belief that this new generation of police officers will be future leaders who define how police support, protect and work together with Chicago's communities.

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