The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) graduated its 128th Cadet Class, adding 51 new officers. This is one of the largest cadet classes in recent years, due to new strategies implemented by Chief Harold Medina. The Chief acknowledged the Recruiting Unit’s efforts in increasing numbers and ensuring candidate quality.
Of the 51 new officers, 28 were part of the pre-hire program. This program allows cadet candidates to work with the department while waiting for an Academy class, preventing them from seeking other jobs.
The 128th Cadet Class was the first to participate in the Pre-academy, a program designed to reduce attrition rates. Cadet classes often start with high numbers, but many cadets leave during the course. The Pre-academy addresses this issue by teaching cadets 10-codes and other specialized trainings that have posed challenges in the academy.
The success of the 128th Cadet Class shows the APD’s recent efforts to increase its numbers. The department’s focus on the quantity and quality of recruits is evident in the large number of graduates and the implementation of programs like the pre-hire and Pre-academy.