POLICE DEPARTMENT WELCOMES 17 NEW RECRUITS AND 22 NEW OFFICERS ON ACTIVE DUTY
from Dalmarys Matos, Communications and Media Specialist, Office of Mayor City of Bridgeport
(Mar. 15, 2018) — Bridgeport, CT –Making good on a campaign promise, Mayor Ganim and Bridgeport Police Chief Perez this week welcomed the 17 newest police recruits training at the Bridgeport Police Academy. The newest class brings the Bridgeport Police Department (BPD) to a total of 100 new officers since Mayor Ganim took office in December 2015.
In addition to the recruits, the most recent BPD graduating class of 22 officers hit the streets this week. This increase to the police department staff will allow Chief Perez to adequately assign officers to fill cars on patrol, and more effectively provide community policing details in city neighborhoods. The Chief has also issued a request among the department for nine additional School Resource Officers (SRO) to improve school safety.
“The Police Department serves a major function in any city and the only way they can properly do their job is with the manpower,” said Mayor Ganim. “It has been my commitment to replenish the Police Department so that we can continue to improve public safety in Bridgeport for our residents and for our schools. This new class brings us to our goal.”
Bridgeport Police Chief AJ Perez said, “I am thankful to have a Mayor that understands the importance of fully equipped force. We not only have a competent and capable team but a team devoted to Bridgeport that understands the needs of our community. These recruits could have applied anywhere but they chose our city because they want to make a difference.”
The recruits will also be required to participate in various community interactive days in order to begin to forge relationships with the public. This would include spending an afternoon in Bridgeport Public Schools to interact with students. Once complete, the officers-in-training will get three months of hands-on experience in the field.
The officers-to-be are well underway in their training having passed the entrance exam, a physical exam, and a background check. This diverse class includes six Hispanics, four African Americans and four females. The recruits are now in their second week of training and have to complete, at least, 26 more weeks. During their six months at the Bridgeport Police Academy, recruits will undergo rigorous physical testing and classes on policing concepts. They will be continually gauged in their learning process via test scores and application through practical exercises.
All 17 recruits are anticipated to graduate in a ceremony at the end of September 2018.
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Dalmarys Matos
Communications and Media Specialist
Office of Mayor |City of Bridgeport
Margaret E. Morton Government Center
999 Broad Street|Bridgeport, CT 06604
P: (203) 333-2843
E: dalmarys.matos@bridgeportct.gov