AKRON, Ohio — Each of the 29 cadets who graduated from the Akron Police Academy to become Akron police officers has a story to tell about their journey.

Some of their journeys may surprise you.

"Doing this is definitely out of my comfort zone, but I knew it was something that I wanted to get into and I put my mind to it, and here I am," said new APD Officer Tatyana Cooper.

Cooper, 29, is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and comes from a large family. She's the oldest of 15 kids.

She worked as a teacher at daycare, but felt a calling to serve and protect. Now, she will.

"I've always had people looking up to me, so I always have big shoes to fill to make sure that I do the right thing," Cooper said.

The swearing-in ceremony took place Friday morning inside the Akron Civic Theater. The oath, r

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