Police Recruits Say They're Eager To Serve Chicago Community
(CBS) – The newest class of 100 Chicago police recruits just started at the academy.
With tensions between police and some communities running high, CBS 2's Mai Martinez talks to three of the recruits about why they wanted to become officers.
U.S. Navy veteran Victor Perez.Perez, who grew up in Rogers Park. He thinks becoming a police officer might inspire others.
"Hopefully, the younger people, the younger kids, will be able to look up to me and say, 'Oh, he was able to do it. I think I would like to follow in his footsteps.'"
U.S. Army veteran Shanika Morris is proud of her South Side roots and hopes to help bridge the gap between some African-American communities and police.
"Young black people need someone to relate to. I grew up in some of the worst parts of Chicago, so I can relate to a lot of young black people," she says.
For U.S. Marine veteran Anthony Geraghty, who grew up in Portage Park, it was Supt. Eddie Johnson's call to action that motivated him to sign up.
"The job has always been dangerous. I just think now that people have lost respect for the police department, and hopefully with this change we can help gain that trust back from the communities," he says.
Tuesday was Day 2 of six months of training for the recruits. Those who make the cut will graduate next summer.
Those who move on will spend a year on the streets as probationary officers.
