Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Superintendent Garry McCarthy were on hand to celebrate the most recent Chicago Police recruit graduation at Navy Pier. This particular ceremony featured 105 graduates, who will be joining the force.
Since Mayor Emanuel has taken office, 1,149 new police officers have joined the Chicago Police Department. There have also been promotions at every rank to build up strong leadership.
Thirty-two of the graduates served in the military, and 16 graduates are representing a second generation of law enforcement in their families.
Prior to graduation, police recruits train at the Police Academy for five months. During that time, they undergo approximately 1,000 hours of instruction and then take the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Exam. Every recruit must pass the exam in order to be certified as a law enforcement officer in the State of Illinois. Following graduation and the earning of this certification, they begin the Field Training Program as a Probationary Police Officer.
Once that is completed satisfactorily, with 13 months of field experience, these probationary officers will become full-fledged police officers.
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