Small, 'mighty' cadet class to graduate

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A cadet class that is small in numbers yet still "pretty mighty" is ready to don their shiny badges as the newest members in the Austin Police Department's force -- hoping to make a difference on the city streets.

"We'll be going out on patrol, all of us, right off the bat, and that's where we need people the most," said cadet Rheannon Cunningham. "So we're really looking forward to that, hoping we can make a difference. Even though we are small in numbers we are pretty mighty."

Fifteen new officers will be sworn in Friday, graduation day and the culmination of eight months of intensive training.

Police said it's a demanding program that requires more than 1,282 training hours and academy curriculum that more than doubles the state licensing agency training requirement of 618 hours.

This 121st cadet class received training in included legal issues, driving, crisis intervention training, community policing, leadership, defensive tactics and physical fitness.

Ceremonies for the cadets happen at 7 p.m. at Austin Cornerstone Church at 1101 Reinli St., where Chief Art Acevedo will inspect the entire cadet class before the graduation ceremony and will then administer the Oath of Office to the cadets.

The guest speaker for the ceremony will be Deputy City Manager Michael McDonald. He began his career with the city in 1983 as a police officer.

In 1995, he became the first African-American appointed assistant chief of police in Austin. From 2002 to 2006, McDonald served as acting assistant city manager of Community Services.

He was appointed assistant city Manager for Public Safety Services in 2006 and to deputy city manager in January 2012.

Meanwhile, Acevedo said this is one of the smallest classes in recent years for the department -- a size directly impacted by city budget constraints.

And while it brings the force's numbers to 1,646 officers, it's still short of a full staff number closer to 1,700. That's all while demand for new officers continues to grow.

A 33-page report out last week said there are still more than 250 positions that need to be added to keep up with population projections.

APD recommendations

• 155 officers
• 78 detectives
• 24 sergeants
• 257 total by 2017

And even that would leave the department staffed below the national average, estimated at 1 officer per 2.11 thousand.

The report also said civilians could fill up to 29 of those positions, but many on the force are hesitant to them unless they’re retired officers.

Crime statistics

New crime numbers are now out. According to the chief's monthly report, violent crime in June is down in Austin, for the most part.

Notable drops are the numbers of robberies, rapes and assaults. Those crimes are down from June 2011.

However, the report said three more murders have happened so far in 2012 compared to this time last year. Auto thefts are also on the rise.

Chief's Run

Running shoes and gym shorts replaced navy blue uniforms for some Austin police officers Thursday morning.

That's because Acevedo and other department staffers took part in the annual "Chief's Run."

The run started at 7 a.m. from the Texas Peace Officers Memorial on state Capitol grounds and finished up at the south end of the Congress Avenue Bridge. The tradition is intended to focus on unity within the community and department.