Detroit, MI – On Friday, January 17, a total of 41 Detroit Police cadets took the Oath of Office and graduated from the Detroit Training Academy, officially beginning their careers in law enforcement. To earn the badge and become full fledged Police Officers, each of the graduates, consisting of Class 2019-I and Class 2020-A, successfully finished six months of intense training and education.
“Our training has been extremely tough, but helpful,” said Officer Raven Simmons, class president of 2019-I. “I’ve never been through anything like this before. But going through the academy for six months definitely prepped us to be great officers. We learned a lot during our time here, and we are ready.”
The future officers of the Detroit Police Department make their entrance 
Classes 2019-I and 2020-A stand at attention, ready to meet their future commanders 
Commander Eric Ewing of the Fifth Precinct speaks with the DPD recruits 
Commander Brian Mounsey speaks with the recruits during the Meet and Greet 
The future officers listen intently to advice from their new supervisors 
The experienced officers speak with the rookies about what to expect on the job. 
When graduation day arrives, Class 2019-I leads the way to the stage 
The graduates from Class 2019-I and 2020-A take the Oath of Office 
Newly graduated officer Arreona Mitchell has her badge pinned on 
The new officers of the Detroit Police Department have their badges pinned on for the first time by their loved ones 
New officer Cierra Swinton is ready to begin her career serving the people of Detroit
A few days before graduation, the cadets were able to take part in a ‘Meet and Greet’ event on January 14 hosted at the academy.
“The purpose of the ‘Meet and Greet’ is for the student officers who are graduating to meet their field training coordinators, as well as the command staff of the precincts they will be assigned to,” said Captain Bryant Harris, Commander of Detroit Police Professional Education and Training. “Instead of having them meet on the first day, they already have a name and face, and are more familiar with the people they will be serving under.”
During the event, commanders and captains from each of the city’s police precincts, as well as Downtown Services and the Tactical Service Section, were present to speak with the cadets face-to-face, and answer any questions or concerns the future officers might have about their assignments.
“I think something like this event is reassuring. Speaking with our supervisors lets us know they are looking out for us, and that this is a promising future for us,” Officer Simmons said. “We want to do the right thing. This is what we want to do with our lives. We want to help this city and be there for the community.”
The ‘Meet and Greet’ was not only a chance for the graduates to introduce themselves, but to hit home the high standards each and everyone of them will be held to. They heard from multiple leaders in the department, including Assistant Chief James White and their own commander, Captain Harris, who all spoke on what it truly means to serve the community with honesty and bravery as a Detroit Police Officer.
“I hope every recruit that graduates from the Detroit Police academy takes away the importance of integrity and the values we have instilled in them here,” Captain Harris said. “There a lot of police skills that we build upon and introduce to them during their training, but a good officer also needs integrity, honesty, and character. Those are the components I want the recruits to leave here with.”
Congratulations to Detroit Police Academy Class 2019-I and Class 2020-A!
Detroit Police Office of Public Information 