The Chicago Police Department (CPD) Interim Superintendent Charlie Beck congratulated three graduating classes of 197 Police Officers, as well as 125 newly promoted Chiefs, Deputy Chiefs, Commanders, Captains, Lieutenants, Sergeants, Field Training Officers, Evidence Technicians and Police Technicians. Among the new class of 197 new police officers, 69 percent are from minority backgrounds, with 39 percent identifying as Hispanic, 22 percent African-American and seven percent Asian-American. Additionally, 29 percent of graduates are female and approximately 41 percent of the officers graduated from Chicago Public Schools, and 11 percent are military veterans. Prior to graduation, police recruits spent six months at the Police Academy. These courses are based on a new curriculum modeled on what officers’ experience in the field. Officers also study crisis de-escalation tactics, community building, the appropriate use of force and more.