The Oakland Police Department has welcomed its latest class of recruits, adding 17 officers to its ranks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This latest class, from the 196th Basic Recruit Academy, includes three women and 14 men. With the new recruits, the Oakland Police Department has a total of 621 active and sworn officers, with an additional 57 technically on staff<\/a> but out on administrative, medical or other forms of leave, bringing the total to 678. An additional 37 potential new recruits are being trained as part of the 197th class.\u00a0<\/p>\n At a May 29 ceremony at Oakland\u2019s Scottish Rite Center, Police Chief James Beere reminded the recruits to perform their duties with integrity.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this profession, you always represent the badge, on and off duty. The actions of one individual, no matter how small, shape public perception. Uphold our integrity and honor the badge you now wear,\u201d he said, according to a news release<\/a>.<\/p>\n In addition, Oakland has long struggled with disproportionate levels of both violent and property crime, though both categories have waned in the past couple years as crime rates across the nation have declined after the turbulence of the pandemic and immediate years that followed.<\/p>\n