Oakland

174th Oakland Police Academy Class Graduates

The newest members of the Oakland Police Department graduated this morning as members of the 174th police academy class.

44 men and women made up the graduating class and join the force at a controversial time for Bay Area police departments mired by scandals and questionable officer-involved shootings.

Despite the nearby controversies, the new officers are ready for the challenge.

"I want to be one of the reasons why the Oakland Police Department becomes the best police department in the world," new officer Richard Ilesanmi said.

Police Chief Sean Whent says the officers will be held to the highest standards.

"I think they're coming into it with open eyes," he said. "They see what's going on. They pay attention and I'm hoping they're learning lessons along the way so they don't make some of the mistakes people have made before them."

Training lasted 27 weeks and the department now has 773 officers.

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