Aurora police academy graduates largest class in years. Here’s what they say.

AURORA | From working as Aurora Police recruits through being maced in the face and the challenge of navigating the city without GPS, the most recent graduates are among a growing  number of those looking for a badge and an opportunity to help their community, recruits and police said during a graduation ceremony Thursday.

The Aurora Police Department Training Academy just celebrated one the largest class sizes in years, and officials say they are seeing steady growth. 

Training chief Lt. Justin Shipley said he has seen classes as small as five or six recruits over the past three years, but this year, the class expanded to the most recent 37 graduates.

Mayor Mike Coffman said there are more than 40 candidates signed up for the next academy. 

The department is authorized to employ 748 sworn officers. According to the department’s staffing report in October, there were 609 sworn officers, another 28 in field training and 41 in the academy. 

“We’ve seen a steady increase in academy sizes, which is a promising sign for the department and the community,” Shipley said.

Locally, and across the country, police departments have reported recruitment and staffing shortages, leading to big increases for cities in overtime pay and officer fatigue.

The Aurora department attributes this growth to competitive pay and benefits for recruits, who receive a full-time salary and benefits from the beginning of their training. Officers earn $119 thousand after five years on the force. Recruits at the Aurora Police Academy are also paid during their training.

“You get hired, and we’ll put you through the training,” Shipley said.

The academy offers a challenging 26-week curriculum that meets state standards and community needs. Recent enhancements include integrated communications and active bystandership training, which focuses on de-escalation and peer accountability.

The academy also incorporates community-focused programs, such as the Standing Against Violence Every Day (SAVE), which trains officers to engage with local youth and address gang prevention. Recruits participate in community events to foster positive relationships with residents.

For recruit Alex Hay, a city native, the academy was an opportunity to serve the community he loves.

“I grew up in Aurora. I love the city, the people, and the culture,” Hay said. “Becoming a police officer gives me a chance to give back and make a difference.”

Hay praised the academy’s instructors for their dedication. 

“They do everything they can to make us better than we were yesterday,” he said.

New officers come to the department with a variety of backgrounds and motivations. Riley Evans, a former professional dog trainer from California, was inspired to join law enforcement by her brother-in-law, who is also an Aurora officer.

“I wanted a career where I could make a real impact,” Evans said. She is particularly eager to join the department’s K9 unit.

Army veteran Ryan McCallian, another recruit, emphasized his commitment to service and integrity. After serving in the military and taking time to raise his two daughters, he felt ready to pursue his dream of becoming a police officer.

“Everyone I’ve met here puts others before themselves, and that’s exactly who I am,” Ryan said after his badge-pinning ceremony.

While the job comes with challenges, recruits are optimistic about the changes within the department, including the leadership of the new police Chief Todd Chamberlain.

“He has a fantastic track record, and I think he’s going to make great changes in our police force,” Evans said.

Despite an 8-10% dropout rate, which Shipley describes as typical for law enforcement academies, the Aurora Police Academy remains a pipeline for the city’s growing force. Shipley said that he will probably lose an additional 10% during the 16-week field training, before the new officers are fully on their own. Shipley said a 10% drop during field training is also common.

Police officials credit renewed and expanded recruiting efforts for helping fill slots in the police academy.

That recruiting recently drew criticism and controversy after the Sentinel reported that APD recruiters were sent to a Donald Trump political rally in Aurora Oct. 11. Critics said the optics of looking for police recruits at a rally essentially created from anti-immigrant sentiment reflected poorly on the department. Chamberlain has repeatedly defended the decision, saying such efforts bring diversity to the police force.

As the department continues to expand its recruitment efforts and refine its training programs, both recruits and instructors said they were optimistic about the future.

“Seeing these recruits graduate after 26 weeks of hard work is incredibly fulfilling,” Shipley said. “It’s a testament to the commitment of everyone involved.”