The Chattanooga Police Department added 22 new officers to its ranks Oct. 1 with the graduation of the class of 2020.
The class of 2020 is the first CPD Academy class to graduate during a pandemic. The group began training at the Chattanooga Police and Fire Department Training Center March 13. Later that day, they learned the structure of their training would look very different as the City of Chattanooga announced its response to the global pandemic.
A month later, April 12, training turned into action as the cadets were called to assist the victims of the Easter Sunday tornadoes.
“These cadets had the unique experience to begin serving the community long before they took their oath,” said Chief David Roddy. “This group learned by doing ... from the very beginning.”
The graduating class has one female and 21 males who range in age from 21 to 39. The 22 graduates hail from 11 different states.
Nine graduates have military experience and two continue to serve in the guard or reserves.
Two graduates are brothers, one graduate is the son of a retired CPD officer, and another is the son-in-law of a retired CPD officer.
Officers received the following awards:
• Physical Fitness: Warren Moody
• Academic: Frisco Sherrill
• Pistol Marksmanship: Stephen Ewing
• Most Improved Shooter Certificate: Hainze Gomez
The CPD is accepting applications for the next academy, which is set to begin March 2021. Applications and basic requirements are available at bit.ly/cpdrecruiting.
Source: CPD