59th class graduates from metro academy, emphasizing the ongoing need for more officers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Nine new officers joined Louisville Metro Police Department's rank and file on Friday.

The officers graduated in a ceremony at Slugger Field.

The new officers said a smaller class provided better training experience, working more closely with officers that will soon be coworkers.

"For me, a small class was good. Got a lot of one on one, the most training out of some of the classes that were recent then," Officer Zachary Hill, recent LMPD Academy graduate, said.

However, LMPD Interim Chief Paul Humphrey said the department needs full 48-person classes. He said recruiting has to be as much of a priority as anything else, but LMPD still needs more than 250 officers.

"I know you've heard me preach violent crime, violent crime, violent crime, but we need people in the police cars out there focusing on it," Humphrey said.

This was the 59th class to come out of Metro Academy.

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.