RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Raleigh Police Department welcomed 27 new officers during the 131st Academy Graduation Class on Friday morning.

The graduates walked the stage and took their oaths as Raleigh Police officers. This is the second academy graduation this year and the first class under Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce.

"They are prepared to lead and they're prepared to serve. And that's the message I wanted to send home today, is make sure you continue to have that servant heart where you help people, in making things better and not worse," said Boyce.

This new class of graduates comes at a time when police departments across the country are struggling to get enough recruits to fill vacancies. As of this week, RPD reported more than 70 vacancies. "We're going to continue to evalu

See Full Page