Austin Police Commissiones 35 recruits after 32-week academy; chief vows support

Thirty-five recruits were pinned and sworn in as officers of the Austin Police Department on the occasion of the commissioning ceremony for the department’s 150 fourth cadet class.

The graduates completed a 32-week academy that began Jan. 20, 2025, the department said during the ceremony. Chief Lisa Davis, the city’s chief of police, administered the oath of office and pledged continued support for training, equipment and wellness for the new officers.

The ceremony featured a keynote address from Matthew Greer, chief of police for Eanes Independent School District, who said the relationships officers build with the people they serve “will always be the measure of your success.” A class president representing the graduates described integrity as the class motto and recounted the physical and personal sacrifices classmates made to complete the program.

Why this matters: The sworn-in officers will join the Austin Police Department’s ranks at a time when chiefs and community leaders repeatedly emphasize training, professionalism and community engagement as central to policing. The department highlighted the academy’s length and the instructors’ role in preparing recruits for street duty.

The ceremony and awards Chief Davis administered the oath of office, which included language recited by the class such as “without fear, favor, or discrimination” and a vow to “devote my efforts and skills…