After completing a rigorous 30-week training program at the Minneapolis Police Department's Academy, 26 recruits were sworn in as police officers Tuesday night.
Recruits were honored in front of family and friends during a graduation ceremony at St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church.
The graduating class included eight women, the highest number that Sgt. Steven Bantle has seen in an academy class over the past 17 years.
Cadets will begin work on Thursday and spread out evenly across all five of the city's precincts, with one officer going to the Minneapolis park police.
Some smaller police departments across the state have seen job applicants decline in the wake of nationwide scrutiny of police behavior and increased fear for officers' safety.
Staff Report
![Minneapolis police officer Mike Osbeck pinned a badge on his daughter Angela Osbeck during a Minneapolis Police Department swearing in ceremony in Minneapolis, Minn., on Tuesday, October 20, 2015. Osbeck also has a son who is an police officer. ] RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER • reneejones@startribune.com Following a rigorous 30 week training program at the Minneapolis Police Department’s Academy, 26 recruits are now ready to be sworn-in as Minneapolis Police Officers. Eight of the cadets w](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/5JM3IMUSSCAZZZAGKBXJYOCHZE.jpg?&w=1080)
![2015 cadets lined up before proceeding out to the Minneapolis Police Department swearing in ceremony in Minneapolis, Minn., on Tuesday, October 20, 2015. ] RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER • reneejones@startribune.com Following a rigorous 30 week training program at the Minneapolis Police Department’s Academy, 26 recruits are now ready to be sworn-in as Minneapolis Police Officers. Eight of the cadets were women.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/6BRLKZBTWI6PA7RJICHMYYNQPQ.jpg?&w=1080)
