Eight cadets graduate from Chattanooga Police Academy

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Police Department swore in eight cadets into their ranks on Thursday night.

The ceremony was held at The Camp House on 806 E. 12th street.

These new officers spent 22 weeks of intense training since March. Their training involved a series of classroom instruction, hands-on drills in firearms, emergency medical response, patrol procedures, defensive tactics, law and more.

Lieutenant David Young, the CPD director of training, said, “Officers at the Chattanooga Police Academy undergo 840 hours of comprehensive training – more training hours than the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards & Training mandates.”

The new officers will begin their phase two of training which is 16 weeks of riding with an experienced Field Training Officer.

Their August Academy has already begun, but CPD is currently accepting applications for their March 2024 Academy. The application is on Chattanooga’s government website.