Police and fire academy graduates sworn in Wednesday
NEWARK -- Dozens of Newark police officers and firefighters were sworn in Wednesday at a ceremony at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in the city's North Ward.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka called on the 40 new police officers and 34 newly-minted firefighters to keep focused on their missions and praised the responders as they prepared for duty.
"Today, right now, at this moment, at this hour you are exactly what the city needs," Baraka said in addressing the graduates. "You are part of the finest public safety department in the entire state of New Jersey. We expect the best from you, we know you will give us the best and the people of Newark will be better for it."
Baraka moved the police and fire departments into divisions under the city's new Department of Public Safety. He picked Anthony Ambrose, former chief of investigations with the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and a local law enforcement veteran, as Newark public safety director late last year.
Newark would add 150 new cops under proposed budget
Reforms under the new department are designed to focus on collaborating with the community to reduce crime, according to city officials.
The new police officers would be assigned to walking patrols across the city, Ambrose said in a speech Wednesday. He told the graduates to remain focused on the department mission, work hard and be problem solvers.
"Treat people like you would want to be treated," the director said.
The new police officers and firefighters serve different functions, but were united by their courage when facing danger, Ambrose added.
Thirty-one men and nine women completed the 26-week training program at the Passaic County Police Academy, which included lessons on criminal law, cultural diversity, firearms skills, physical training and community relations.
Officers honored at Newark ceremony
The fire division graduates completed 12 weeks of training at the city's Orange Street academy. Officials said the recruits faced intense physical training, classroom work and tests, along with simulated rescues.
The ceremony included scores of excited family members, who stood to snap cell phone pictures as their loved ones took the oath of office. New firefighters and officers posed for photos outside the basilica, where a large American flag hung from firetrucks and police horses were stationed.
Newark's last class of police recruits graduated in March. Baraka's 2016 budget calls for 150 new officers to join the approximately 950-member force in what officials say is an effort to eventually offset the loss of 400 officers since 2010.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.