Oct 8, 2009 6:18 pm US/Central
New Class Of Officers Joins Chicago Police Dept.
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Chicago Police have been on the front lines of the war on teen violence every day. On Thursday, 45 more men and women in blue joined that fight on the streets of Chicago. That's when the latest Chicago Police Academy's graduation took place ceremony at Navy Pier.
The recruits endured seven months of physical training and exams to get to this day. CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot talked with some of the officers about their new career path and the challenges they'd be facing.
While some came from a long line of police officers in their family and others were choosing a career of service for the first time, they all had one thing in common. They want to see an end to violence among young people in Chicago.
Chicago Police Officer Michelle Tannehill was the first woman in her family to become a police officer. There's been a Tannehill on the Chicago police force every year since 1950.
"I'm the third generation," Tannehill said. Her grandfather, father and three uncles were police officers.
Tannehill said she'll use outreach to combat violence among young people in Rogers Park.
"I think it's really important to get the community involved. Us knowing exactly what's going on in the community and the community and police working together, we can help solve the problems in the different districts that we're going to," Tannehill said.
Officer Benny Williams said he lives just a few blocks from spot where Fenger High School student Derrion Albert was beaten to death last month.
"It hit home for me. I mean, to see those kids out there like that; it made me feel I'm needed even more now; to go out there and help people who need help," Williams said.
The father of four said he wants to be a mentor in the Gresham neighborhood.
"Hopefully, I can be an example, someone they can look up to, to maybe say, 'Hey, you know, I don't have to always have to go this route, there's another route I can go to,'" Williams said.
Officer Paul Mieszala will be working with Officer Williams in the Gresham community.
We asked Mieszala why he wanted to be a police officer.
"Being in the military, I got a taste of public service and the personal pride that comes with it as well as the affects that you can have on people's lives. I'm just excited to work with my brothers and sisters on the police force and I can't wait to get started," Mieszala said.
For three months, the officers were set to be paired with a field training officer. After that, they would be assigned a partner, patrolling the streets of Chicago.
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