File photo

The Long Beach Police Department announced Tuesday that its third academy class in two years has begun and it is currently recruiting its next academy.

“I’m very proud of this new class of recruits, and grateful that we are able to put more police on the street,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement. “I have every confident that these men and women will do an outstanding job of keeping our city and our residents safe.”

According to the release, the City Council included the funding of the current academy, Class No. 88, in the FY 2015 budget.

Chief Robert Luna commended the men and women entering the academy, saying the process will prepare them for a rewarding career while making Long Beach a safer place for everyone.

A total of 45 Long Beach Recruits have begun training, while three recruits hired by the City of Gardena Police Department will be joining the class. The 27.5- week course will challenge participants mentally and physically as they are instructed in criminal law, investigations, driver’s training, report writing, policies, procedures, cultural sensitivity and awareness, human relations, problem solving and mediation skills.

Academy Class No. 88 will graduate in November 2015 and then continue their development as officers in the Field of Training Program, which, according to the release, consists of one year working with a Field Training Officer. The Field Training Officers scrupulously observe and report on the new officers’ progress, in an effort to ensure their readiness to function as a responsible peace officer on their own.

Academy Class No. 87 created 24 new Long Beach Police Officers, who graduated in December 2014. Forty recruits were chosen out of 40,000 applicants, of which 27 total actually graduated, according to the Post’s coverage of the graduation ceremony.

“[…] It’s been a long six months, and now we’re here,” Paul Micah Del Rosario, the Class of 87 president said during the ceremony. “This weekend, we start a new chapter in our lives and will be serving our communities. For most of us, this is the most important thing we’ll do. We have not and will not let you down.”

The City of Long Beach is currently accepting applications for Police Recruit. For more information, visit the city’s website here.