Chicago Police Graduate 151 Recruits + 1 Marriage Proposal

Scenes from Tuesday’s graduation ceremony for new Chicago police recruits at Navy Pier. | Chicago Police Department Facebook

There are 151 new Chicago police officers after graduation ceremonies Tuesday at Navy Pier.

The recruits, their friends and family, packed the Grand Ballroom, as Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy addressed one of the Chicago Police Academy’s largest graduating classes in recent history.

Emanuel held new Chicago Police Officer Gabriel Gamino, Jr.’s diploma as he got down on one knee during the graduation ceremony and proposed to his long-time girlfriend, Gabrielle Thomas.

Gamino Jr., 25, said he’s waited five years to finally become a Chicago police officer and that now fiancee, Gabrielle, 24, has been behind him the entire time.

“So I figured today would be a special day for me, as well, for her because she helped me achieve this goal that I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid,” Gamino told ABC 7 Chicago.

A surprised Gabrielle said yes, after which, she received a hug from the mayor, who wished her “Mazel tov.”

Tuesday’s graduating class brings the total number of new officers hired since the mayor took office to 1,500, the Sun-Times reported. Most of that number is to keep pace with attrition, rather than boost manpower.

Tuesday’s ceremony also celebrated the promotions of two commanders and three captains, Chicago police said on Facebook.

The class also includes 18 second generation police officers, three third generation officers and 25 military veterans.