The Grand Rapids Police Department added 14 new recruits Thursday. Command staff, officers and city leaders joined the new employees’ families and friends at an oath of office ceremony at police headquarters.
Earlier this year, Grand Rapids Police Chief Dave Rahinsky said the job is becoming harder to sell to the younger generation, as people become more sensitive to mental health and their own longevity. Many of the vacancies at the department are from retirements.
The officers will start their 17-week field training on Sunday.
This is the second class of GVSU recruits that GRPD has sponsored over the past two years. The third class is going through the hiring process for next summer’s police academy.
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