February 17, 2009

Charlotte, NC -- On Wednesday, February 18, 2009, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) will graduate 39 police officers. Ceremonies will take place at 3 p.m. at the Police & Fire Training Academy, 1770 Shopton Road.

Along with the new officers, the 6 members of the second In-state Lateral Officer Program will join the department, and CMPD will promote 5 patrol officers to the rank of Sergeant.

The 156th Recruit Class has completed 23 weeks of training and will spend the next 14 weeks with a Police Training Officer in their assigned patrol district before they embark on their first patrol on their own. With the addition of these new officers, CMPD continues to increase police officer presence and visibility at the neighborhood level. 

Highlights of the recruits and their backgrounds include:  one worked with a missionary group for 6 years, one recruit served with the Army, Navy, Maryland State Police, USSS Uniform Division, and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, another recruit was born in Ecuador, and one is the son of a retired CMPD Captain.