The Birmingham Police Department sworn in 27 new police officers Friday, with 50 additional recruits already undergoing training to take the same oath in July.

“We know that agencies all over the state and nation still struggle with their staffing,” said Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett. “With us to be able to have the numbers that we have, not only with police officers but with corrections officers as well, it’s not just huge for the Birmingham Police Department, it’s huge for the community as well as we’re getting more boots on the ground so we can better serve them.”

The new officers underwent roughly 880 hours of training, and each will spend the next 16 weeks under a field training officer.

The ceremony was held Friday morning at Bill Harris Arena.

In addition to the 27 new police officers, four lateral transfers were also sworn in, as were nearly 20 corrections officers.

Ten other officers were also honored. Though they have been serving as Birmingham police, their formal ceremony earlier this year was postponed because of snow.

The department – which Birmingham City Council President Darryl O’Quinn has previously said was down nearly 300 officers – has beefed up recruiting, with a recruiting team and a hiring team.

Rookies can join the department as young as age 19. Benefits include a 20-year City of Birmingham pension retirement, health, dental, vision and life insurance, 12-week paid parental leave, and a $1,200 annual clothing allowance.

All new recruits receive a $10,000 signing bonus.

Pickett said they’ve had a tremendous response.

“The men and women of our department are recruiters as well. They’re letting people know, ‘Hey, we’re taking great strides at BPD and it’s fun to work again at BPD,’ and they’re actually pulling a lot more people in,’’’ Pickett said. “Every police officer is an ambassador for this department.”

The chief said the curve is starting to change.

“We’re not losing more than we’re receiving at this point so that attrition rate is doing much better,” he said.

Pickett told the new officers they have joined one of the best police departments in the nation.

“It’s one of the largest families in the world,” he said.

“You’re going to get experiences that you would have never gotten if you’d gone anywhere else,” the chief said. “You all are going to see some of the worst things you ever seen, but also you’re going to see the most amazing things you’ve ever seen.”

“You’re going to meet some of the most amazing people in the world in our community when you go out and respond to these calls,” Pickett said.

To the 50 recruits who attended Friday’s ceremony, Pickett directed them to the new officers and said, “This is what you’re trying to obtain. I will be with you the entire way. You all depend on each other. Help your brother and sister when they’re going through this training.”

Mayor Randall Woodfin thanked all of the officers.

“Thank you for understanding what it means to be committed to something that is bigger than yourself,” Woodfin said, “to have the discipline the work ethic to not just better yourself but to better your community.”

“Thank you for sacrifice,” he said. “Be safe, be smart, be proactive, be a good team member and most importantly be a good leader.”

The keynote speaker for the ceremony was The Rev. Thomas Beavers, senior pastor of New Rising Start Church.

Beavers spoke to the officers about “standing on integrity while living under scrutiny.” He said there are many similarities between pastors and police officers.

“When one of messes up, all of us get a bad rap,” Beavers said.

He encouraged them to fight becoming desensitized to the pain of people, which they will see each day. He also cautioned them to find a balance between work and family.

“A relationship with God is the only thing that will be able to keep you grounded,” Beavers said.

He, too, applauded their commitment to public service.

“Birmingham,” Beavers said, “is going to be all the better because you said yes to the oath to protect and serve.”

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Brendette Green delivered the oath of office to the police and corrections officers.

The 27 new police officers sworn in are Jamal Abrams, Jeremy Benjamin, Kenneth Campbell Jr., Tyler Deaver, Katlyn Garcia, Kayle Galloway, Jawone Grice, Daniel Hill, Donnie Holder, Rashad Jenkins, Vincent Johnson, Malik Motley, Stefani Motley, Devin O’Neal, Jason Parker, Alex Pelt, Karen Perez, Miyonna Price, Ja’Liyah Ragland, Brian Roper, Marcelius Rowser, Nikolas Sanders, Kevonah Scott, Tra’Derrius Swann, Bryan Ward, Amauri Williams and Andrew Wilson.

The officers previously sworn in without a formal ceremony are Kameron Baker, Jerry Cooper III, Xavier Dennard Jr., Ahmad Harris, Ra’Shun Johnson, Jeremy Jones, Michael Kirland, Griffin Mergen, DeWayne Smith Jr. and Jalen Stephens.

Several of the officers received awards: Academic Award, Katlyn Garcia and Jerry Cooper; Firearms Award, Jeremy Jones and Jason Parker; Physical Fitness Award, Jerry Cooper, Nikolas Sanders; Defensive Driving Award, Kameron Baker and Donnie Holder.

Officers Xavier Dennard Jr. and Tra’Derrius Swann won the In Their Spirit Award, which is given in the memory of fallen officers to a graduate who best exemplifies a police officer and is voted on by fellow recruits.

The new corrections officers are Myrafrica Jackson, Regina Roberts, Tyavion Robinson, Sylvester Courtland, Shereakah Franklin, Tecoyia Horn, Cyrondus Jackson, LaTonya Little, Matthew Thornton, Latasha Watson, Nicole Agee, Zulaykha Cox, Daisjoa Foster, Jason Harmon, La’Keria Lowe, Myeisha Miller, Andre Philips, Roy Rayford, and Sherlisha Winston.