New Police Academy Grads Start Work Monday

By Bay City News Service

Oakland's police force, which has shrunk by more than 200 officers over the past four years, got some much-needed help Friday with the graduation of 38 new officers from its first recruiting class in four years.

The new officers will begin field training with existing officers on Monday and then will be ready to take over a regular beat in 20 weeks.

The Oakland Police Department had 837 officers a little more than four years ago but layoffs and attrition has reduced the total to 611 officers now.

A second new police academy is starting soon and a third will start in August.

Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan said in a statement, "These new officers, the future of law enforcement, have joined our family today and will be serving our community tomorrow."

Most trainees received their badges from Jordan but seven received them from members of their own families who also serve or served in law enforcement.

Police officials said the new officers are a diverse mix of ethnicities and nationalities. Seven are women and 31 are men.

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