27 state certified officers from around Nebraska are now Omaha police officers.
"We know that we have to step up," said Officer Jenny Scanlon.
After completing 11 weeks of training, they walked the stage officially earning their badge.
"Training was hard and challenging, they do things differently always taking it up a couple notches," said Scanlon.
Omaha police say these recruits are a part of a bigger picture.
"The mayor's vision is that we not only continue to recruit police officers, but get more on the street," said Deputy Chief Greg Gonzalez.
Gonzalez says they haven't had a lateral recruit training in ten years.
"Those lateral recruit officers could hit the ground running, we could get them on the streets of Omaha expeditiously," said Deputy Chief Gonzalez.
As the city continues to grow OPD says the goal is to have 900 well trained and equipped officers on the streets by next year.
"They are going to have additional added experience that will not only benefit other officers on the street, but they may teach their training officer a thing or two," said Deputy Chief Gonzalez.
The graduates say they are now looking to earn respect and trust within the community.
"It's so important for the community to have faith and trust in us and being able to earn trust in the community," said Officer Scanlon.
