Detroit Police Department Welcomes Newest Officers
DETROIT (WWJ) - After weeks of academic and physical training, the latest recruits of the Detroit Police Department have finally joined the force.
On Friday, 33 men and women were sworn in as brand-new Detroit Police officers in a ceremony at Second Ebenezer Church in Detroit. A video was played during the ceremony that documented all of the good times and bad that took place during police academy training.
- (WWJ Photo/Vickie Thomas)
Recruit Joseph Yerky said it wasn't easy and called the academy a tough training process. "It was a long road to get here, it definitely tested my faith," Yerky said.
Chief Ralph Godbee was one of the speakers at the ceremony and talked about the dangers that police officers face on a daily basis, using the recent shooting in Greenland, New Hampshire as a prime example.
"Four police officers were wounded and the chief of police was killed in the line of duty, executing their duties," said Godbee. "That's what we do."
As Detroit struggles with both finances and violence, the new recruits were paid for through a federal COPS grant.
