Mayor Rahm Emanuel today joined Chicago Police Department (CPD) Superintendent Eddie Johnson in welcoming 277 newly promoted officers to begin their in-service training. This is the first class of promotions for 2017, and includes 90 field training officers, 135 detectives and 52 lieutenants.

“These future detectives, lieutenants and field training officers represent the next generation of leadership for the Chicago Police Department and the City of Chicago,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “These promotions will provide the Department with strong leadership as we continue to add more manpower, training and technology to support all officers in doing their jobs effectively and keeping communities across Chicago safe.”

These promotions come just weeks after the Mayor welcomed 100 new recruits to the Police Academy and are part of CPD’s hiring plan to grow the Department by nearly 1,000 sworn officers, including more detectives and police supervisors. As part of the plan, 100 recruits will begin training at the Police Academy nearly each month over the next two years. These new officers will be supported and supervised by the field training officers and lieutenants who are beginning their training this week. With these promotions, the Department will ensure that all new recruits receive high quality, individualized in-the-field guidance from a trained and experienced officer.

"Beginning this month, CPD will make good on its commitment to hire and place more officers and detectives in the neighborhoods that need them most," said CPD Superintendent Johnson. "Through this effort, we will be able to keep our streets safer, solve more cases, and rebuild community trust."

Mayor Emanuel was joined by CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson and Chief of Detectives Melissa Staples in a kick-off event at police headquarters and addressed an audience of 135 detectives. This is the largest promotional class for each rank in the last five years. Including this new class, since 2011, CPD has promoted 226 lieutenants, 522 sergeants, 383 detectives and 228 field training officers.

Promotional exams are administered for the ranks of detectives, field training officers and lieutenants. Superintendent Johnson selected 52 lieutenants from among his current sergeants, whose leadership and deep knowledge of the city will help guide officers on the beat in communities across the city. Once promoted, new detectives receive eight weeks of training, lieutenants receive six weeks of training including Crisis Intervention Training and field training officers receive five weeks including Crisis Intervention Training.

The 2017 budget includes a significant investment in CPD, including strengthening training, technology and transparency, as part of the Mayor’s plan to improve safety and security in every neighborhood. These newly promoted officers will be assigned directly to the streets of Chicago communities, work with residents in a partnership to address violence and add more resources into investigating and clearing cases. These moves underscore the Mayor’s and Police Department’s commitment to restore trust and rebuild relationships with the community, to ensure that violent offenders will be brought to justice.

To fulfill goals set in the hiring plan, in November, the City began accepting applications for the next Police Entry Exam in April 2017. To “Be the Change,” candidates can apply by January 31 at www.BeTheChangeCPD.com.