For the first time since he took the reins, Interim CPD Supt. Charlie Beck welcomed 197 new officers to the department Wednesday.
“Policing is the most noble of professions,” Beck told the graduating class at a ceremony at Navy Pier.
However, the top cop also warned the officers of the ethical challenges they may face during their careers.
“It is also very difficult,” Beck added. “And the difficulty is that this is the sole profession — the only profession — where the ends never justify the means. There is no right way to do a wrong thing.”
Beck told the newly minted beat cops that he wanted them to write down, in a single sentence, why they wanted to become police officers in the first place and to keep that piece of paper.
“Write it down, put it in your hat, put it in your locker and look at it from time to time, and that will bring you back to true north,” Beck said. “That will bring you back to center.”
Also celebrated during the ceremony were 125 other officers who have recently been promoted to sergeant, lieutenant, captain, commander, deputy chief, ETs and one more.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who arrived after a dramatic City Council meeting, also addressed the class and reassured them that “The city will be with you every step of the way.”
“The Chicago Police Department is at the forefront, not only of public safety efforts, but public healing efforts,” Lightfoot said.
Lightfoot also noted that earlier this week was the one-year anniversary of the deaths of CPD officers Conrad Gary and Eduardo Marmolejo, who were fatally struck by a train on the Far South Side while responding to a call of shots fired.
