'We need the best version of you': 51 officers graduate from Milwaukee Police Academy

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- 51 Milwaukee police officers received badges today as the department celebrated the graduation of Class 2-2022 from the Milwaukee Police Academy.

"We have 51 dedicated, diverse men and women standing before me," said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. "Last year, our department committed to a 30 by 30 pledge, a promise to have recruit classes to have 30% women. While we don't have that exact number, I am proud to say we're over 20% in this particular class."

One of the graduates is Milwaukee's own Maritza Reyes. Officer Reyes will be serving in District 2, the district where she grew up.

"I'm very excited. A little nervous but mostly excited to get out into the streets and serve my community where I grew up in," Office Reyes said. "I want to be, hopefully a role model. I want to work with the community, probably help children. Want them to see that there's a bright future ahead of us and we can grow up and our dreams can come true."

Captain Timothy Leitzke with MPD says this class is one of the larger classes in recent years. The next class set to graduate later this year currently has 62 recruits -- a promising trend for a profession that has been struggling to recruit new officers.

"Nationally, police service is finding difficulties with hiring and recruiting and retention," Captain Leitzke said. "We're really optimistic about how we can bring in officers that are ready to serve the citizens of Milwaukee."

Service to the city Chief Norman told the new officers he expects to be nothing short of exceptional.

"We need the best version of you," Chief Norman said. "I expect all of you to act professional in a legitimate and humane way that as we engage in service, because I will not accept anything less than exceptional service."

Service Officer Reyes is looking forward to providing.

"This is something I've been wanting to do since a young age," Officer Reyes said. "I'm really excited to be working and giving back to the community I grew up in and saw me grow up."