JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Jackson Police Department (JPD) welcomed its 70th recruiting class on Monday, February 19.

In less than 12 weeks, there will be more boots on the ground to serve and protect the capital city. Through intense training, the future officers are gaining the skills to be successful in the community.

“Both training, tests, all these things. But at the end of the day, those are just this amalgamation of getting them prepared to serve the people to serve,” said Captain Christian Vance, JPD training director.

Officials said there is a cultural shift happening in JPD and in the city, which makes people excited to join in on the change.

 Officials say there is a cultural shift happening in the department and  in the city which makes people excited to join in on the change.

“It is a positive change. You know, at one point, of course, the city has had its issues with violence and crimes and all those kinds of things, but is definitely turning around. And officers, new officers are seeing that it’s moving in a positive direction,” said Detective Tommie Brown.

JPD is expected to have 275 officers once this class graduates in early May.