The Los Angeles Police Department recently welcomed 23 new officers to their force, bringing the total number of sworn officers to just over 8,830. The class of recruits graduated from the Los Angeles Police Academy after completing 904 hours of training over 24 weeks. The new officers include 17 Latinos, three whites, two Blacks, and one Asian.
The LAPD has been facing challenges with recruiting and retaining officers, with the number of sworn officers on the payroll having dwindled in recent years. In an effort to increase the number of officers to 9,500, Mayor Karen Bass set a goal last year, which led to a contract being approved with rank-and-file police officers. The contract includes significant salary bumps, annual raises, and additional bonuses to attract and retain more officers.
The new officers were celebrated during a graduation ceremony at the LAPD Police Academy, which also included the graduation of one L.A. Park Ranger and two Inglewood Police Department officers. The ceremony was attended by LAPD Assistant Chief Daniel Randolph and featured Officer Jonathan Soto, Class President, addressing his graduating class.
The addition of new officers to the LAPD is a positive step towards increasing the department’s manpower and ensuring public safety in Los Angeles. The city is making investments in recruiting and retaining officers to address the challenges faced by police departments across the country.
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