The Mayor and city officials joined Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, Police Chief Darnell Henry, and Fire Chief John G. Centanni to swear in a new class of Police Officers and Firefighters who graduated from their May 26th training in a joint ceremony spokesperson Captain Derek Glenn said.
The ceremony was held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart at 11 a.m. June 1st in the city's North Ward.
According to Captain Glenn, Police and Fire Departments are now united in the city’s the newly-created Department of Public Safety.
Director Ambrose discussed how police and fire training has changed to meet the city’s emphasis on bringing the police and community together to collaborate on reducing crime now that police and fire services are consolidated under the city's new department.
ADDITIONAL IMAGES OF CEREMONY: **https://www.rlsmedia.com/gallery/images-newark-public-safety-swearing-ceremony-june-1-2016**
The 34 Firefighters of the 45th Recruit Class have completed 12 weeks of training at the Newark Fire Academy, located at 191 Orange Street Captain Glenn said.
Firefighter recruits started their days with intense physical training, followed by inspections, classroom quizzes and work, and practical exercises, which included simulated rescues.
Accordig to Captain Glenn, the fire class consisted of **11 African-American males and one female; 13 Latino males and one female; and eight Caucasian males**.
Six of the recruits have relatives who are active or former Newark Fire Department members Captain Glenn said.
The Police Class had 40 recruits, 31 males and nine females and breaks down ethnically like this: 31 males: **nine African American; 17 Latino; five Caucasian. Nine females: five African-American; three Latina; one Caucasian** Captain Glenn said.
The police recruits completed a grueling a 24-week training course at the Passaic County Police Academy in 214 Oldham Road, in Wayne, which included classes on Physical Training, New Jersey Law, and Firearms Qualifications.
The last Newark Police Department Recruit Class graduated in March 2016 Captain Glenn continued.
IMAGE CREDIT: Newark Public Safety. All rights reserved.