Bagpipes greeted the procession of the 123rd police cadet class in the Cleveland City Hall rotunda. The 45 new police recruits are the first new graduates since the spring of 2002. Layoffs and a hiring freeze delayed these officers from joining the police force. Normally the process takes about 15 months. Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath commended the men and women for their patience.
Michael McGrath: They took their entrance exam over six years ago. For over six long years, they waited. They waited for their opportunity to become Cleveland police officers. If that isn't true commitment, I don't know what is.
Three of the new officers are veteran firefighters. They'll serve as arson investigators.