100 New Officers Added to Chicago Police Force

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Garry F. McCarthy commemorated the latest graduation of 111 police recruits in a ceremony Monday at Navy Pier. Over the past three and a half years CPD has increased the pace of hiring to keep the Department at full strength. In that time more than 1,250 new police officers have joined the force and there are nearly 250 additional recruits being trained in the police academy today. The Department has also made promotions at every rank.

“In Chicago, community policing isn’t an initiative it’s a philosophy, and these brave men and women will be the newest partners with residents and community leaders as we work together to ensure the safety of our city,” said Mayor Emanuel. “I want to thank our newest officers, and those they join in the ranks of the Chicago Police Department, for their tireless work on behalf of every resident in every neighborhood across the city.”

Over the past three and a half years Mayor Emanuel has put more than 1,000 officers on the street. In addition to increasing the rate of police hiring, the City has put hundreds of additional officers in high crime areas through Operation Impact and Summer Surge. CPD broke up specialized citywide task forces so those officers could work in a tighter geographic area and get to know the communities and residents they serve.

“Each of these new officers plays a key role in our plan to work together with the residents we serve to continue improving the safety of our city,” said Superintendent McCarthy. “These men and women have chosen a noble profession, through which they will dedicate their lives to making a difference in the lives of every resident in every neighborhood throughout Chicago.”

In addition to the latest class of new officers, CPD also recognized three promotions, including: Anthony J. Riccio will now serve as the Chief of the Bureau of Organized Crime, Eugene J. Roy was promoted to Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Detectives, and Kevin R. Johnson was promoted to Commander of the 005 District.

Today’s graduating class of recruits includes eight new officers who are currently active in the military, as well as 12 who have previously served our nation. Thirty-six officers represent another generation of policing in their families, including 30 second and 6 third generation officers, demonstrating the legacy of duty and leadership intrinsic to law enforcement.

The graduating recruits and newly promoted members highlight the shared commitment of Mayor Emanuel and Superintendent McCarthy to ensuring public safety in the City of Chicago. Police recruits spend five months at the Police Academy and receive approximately 1,000 hours of instruction and training before beginning a Field Training Program as a Probationary Police Officer. Upon acceptable completion of the Field Training Program and 13 months of field experience, Probationary Police Officers become full-fledged police officers.