Bridgeport Swears In New Police Recruits

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The city swore in 26 new police recruits Monday, in its ongoing effort to bolster the crime-fighting force and boost safety.

Twenty-six new police recruit march into their swearing-in ceremony.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, far left, talks to a new class of police recruits in April.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Meredith Guinness

04/12/2017 5:30 a.m.

Mayor Joe Ganim had pledged to add 100 new recruits upon his re-election in 2015. So far, more than 80 recruits have joined up, including those sworn in Monday.

“My priority is public safety,” the mayor said. “When I first came into office, the Police Department was undermanned by more than 100 officers. So we immediately put a plan in place to hire new recruits.”

The new recruits will spend six months training at the Police Academy, followed by three months training in the field.

“We want the community to feel safe,” said Police Chief AJ Perez. “Our goal is to have more walking patrols and community policing throughout the city. With Mayor Ganim’s commitment and leadership, I have the manpower I need to protect our residents.”

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