17 new recruits join Louisville police ranks amid ongoing officer shortage

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Louisville Metro Police Department just added 17 new officers to its force.

After a lengthy process, Friday was graduation day for LMPD Class 63.

The recruits went through a four- to six-month application process and six months in the training academy. They will spend the next six months training on the streets of Louisville.

"It's pretty awesome that they're where I was 20 years ago," Chief Paul Humphrey said Friday. "I'm very, very proud of people who are signing up to do this job and want to do good to protect their community."

The police department said the volume of applications it receives has gone up, but they still aren't where they need to be amid a shortage of 250-300 officers.

Humphrey said hiring is a long-term problem and a multi-year process.

If you're interested in applying for the next recruit class, click here for more information about the process. The next police academy starts in July for LMPD Class 67.

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