Columbus swears in recruits after 31-week academy; officials tout falling violent crime and new officer supports

Thirty-one recruits were sworn into the Columbus Division of Police after completing a 31-week academy, city and department leaders said during a graduation ceremony that included remarks from Mayor Andrew Ginther and Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin.

The ceremony emphasized a community-focused training model and new officer supports aimed at modernization and wellness. "This diversity is our strength," Mayor Andrew Ginther said, noting that homicides and other violent crimes have fallen and that the division's current-year solve rate is "78 percent." He urged the new officers to build relationships in every neighborhood as part of community policing.

The mayor and council president framed the graduation as part of wider public-safety investments. Council President Shannon Hardin said, "With the badge that you've earned, you carry tremendous trust and responsibility," and said the council, the mayor and the Department of Public Safety are "fully committed to supporting you" through training, technology and mental‑health and wellness programs.

Director of Public Safety Kate Bishadi administered the oath, calling recruits by name as each pledged to support the constitutions and laws of the United States and Ohio and the ordinances of local jurisdictions. The sworn oath recorded on the transcript included the recruits' commitment "that I will not affiliate with the defined hate group," and to "well and faithfully discharge the duties of police officers."

Assistant Chief Nicholas Converse (transcript: assistant chief of police) described policing as a service profession and urged the new officers to provide respectful, professional interactions. "Be knowledgeable and professional. Be respectful," he said, and called customer service a core expectation of daily policing.

Class leaders and awards: the class elected Adonis Josue Comos Rodriguez as class president, Jared Xavier Kern as vice president and class orator, Andrew James Jones as class treasurer and Natasha A. Wolf as class secretary. Assistant staff presented a set of academy awards: Officer Jason Good received the scholastic award with a reported 94.8% academic average; Officer Thomas Loy received the shooters award with a reported 98.1% accuracy on the qualifying course; and Officer Cameron Debevoise received the defensive tactics award. The ceremony also recognized graduates from partner agencies, and several chiefs from neighboring jurisdictions presented certificates to their officers.

The program included a pledge of allegiance, an invocation and benediction by Division Chaplain Father Leo Connolly, and recognition of the academy's cadet/cadet‑explorer pathway. Command staff named the session the 147th recruit class in remarks and led a traditional posting of the colors and guidon. The ceremony concluded with plans for an outside class formation in the academy courtyard.

Clarifying details from the ceremony: the transcript records the recruits completing 31 weeks of training; multiple department leaders and neighboring police chiefs attended; and staff named the training staff who led the class through the curriculum. Several graduates were identified by name during the oath and certificate presentation. The transcript listed a sequence of awards and the numerical scores for at least two awards (scholastic: 94.8%; shooters: 98.1%).

No formal policy votes or ordinance actions were taken during the ceremony; the event was a graduation and ceremony of recognition.