COLUMBUS, Ohio — More than 30 new Columbus Division of Police officers are now on the force after their graduation on Friday.
Earlier this week, Mayor Andrew Ginther announced three new police recruit classes in his budget proposal, which means more officers on the ground.
“We knew,what we saw over the last couple of years, we weren't going to be able to fix it overnight. We know with commitment, with resources and with the leadership of the chief we can get there,” said Ginther.
Thirty-three individuals took the oath to become the newest officers of the Columbus Division of Police.
“I'm one of those people who won't complain. I'm going to go out and do it. If you want change, you have to go out and do it,” said graduate Judah Ramirez.
Ramirez worked in Columbus police's property room for two and a half years before going through the academy.
He said he is looking forward to going out to the community he now serves.
“Those are the people who need the help the most, the misunderstood. I feel like having that connection with everyone who is in the forgotten areas, I feel like our community policing would be even better,” Ramirez explained.
Columbus police have budgeted for 1,980 officers.
According to the city's Assistant Director Glenn McEntyre, the force currently has 1,826 sworn members. There are 114 sworn vacancies and 40 recruits who are currently in the training academy.
The Fraternal Order of Police argues the division is understaffed by about 200 officers.
“We are bleeding here. We need officers. It's a small amount of officers. At this point, we will take any qualified officer we can,” said Lodge 9 Fraternal Order of Police President, Lt. Brian Steel.
McEntyre said that with the current sworn members, the sworn vacancies and the recruits in the academy, the total reaches 1,980 which is the maximum allowed amount.
Ginther promised to have the most officers on the streets by the end of the year, but admits he fell short.
“Our commitment is to continue to do what we have done the last few years, which is historic by the way. We have never funded three police classes over a four-year period of time. We need to continue to make that a top priority,” Ginther said.
Ramirez said he's glad he made the leap and hopes others will do the same to serve their community.
He said he couldn't wait to go back to the property room now as a sworn officer.
This is the last graduating Columbus police class for the year. The next class will graduate in the spring.