34 Recruits To Be Sworn In As Jersey City Police Officers

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Thirty-four new police officers will take the oath of office and bolster the Jersey City Police Department's number of sworn officers to nearly 1,000 Thursday.

The new officers will boost efforts by local officials to increase walking patrols, community outreach, and crime deterrence, officials said.

The new officers bring the number of sworn officers to 976. Since Mayor Steve Fulop was sworn in, 620 officers have been hired. The administration has placed an emphasis on diversifying the department's ranks. Nearly 70 percent of new officers hired since 2013 have been minorities.

"Since we've expanded the number of police officers, we have been able to increase foot patrols where needed most and strengthen the relationship between community members and officers," said Police Director Tawana Moody. "While we have plenty more work to do, our effort are already leading us in the right direction, resulting in historic decreases in overall crime citywide."

It is the second group of new officers to join the department in recent months. Nine officers were sworn-in in September. The swearing-ins will come just after Detective Joseph Seals and five others, two suspects, and three civilians, were killed in a mass shooting. David Anderson, 47, and Francine Graham, 50, were arrested in connection with the shooting.

Seals' funeral was Tuesday. A moment of silence in his memory will be held at the swearing-in ceremony Thursday.

"Over the last week, we've seen the true heroism throughout our police department during extremely dangerous conditions, all in an effort to keep our community safe," said Mayor Steve Fulop. "We welcome these latest recruits and are thankful for the critical role they've already had over the several days in assisting the police department as thousands came to Jersey City to pay final respects to Detective Joseph Seals."

Related:

• Slain Jersey City Police Officer 'An American Hero,' His Son Says
• 6 Killed In Jersey City Shooting Standoff; Police Officer Dies
• 'Hate' Note Reportedly Left By Attacker In Jersey City Killings
• Mayor, Governor Call For Jersey City School Trustee's Resignation

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com