New LAPD officers sworn in, talk keeping peace in community

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Even before they were sworn in as police officers, graduates of the Los Angeles Police Academy were reminded just how dangerous their new line of work is.

"I would like that we just take a moment to pause and reflect on the tragedy this past weekend with the murders of two New York Police Department officers," LAPD Assistant Chief Michel Moore said.

The class of 23 new officers begin their career after a tumultuous year where tensions across the country between law enforcement and some of the communities they serve have increased. They are sworn to protect and to serve, even those who don't like them.

"I wanted to serve and protect my community. It has been tough what has been going on in the past few months, but that encourages me even more to get out there and do my job," Officer Gabriel Cohen said.

"This career is a profession and dealing with individuals of that like is a normal everyday occurrence," Officer Victor Fletes said. "I'm looking forward to it and it's a challenge for me.

The officers said one of their first priorities when they hit the streets is to establish positive relationships in the communities they serve.

"That's a huge part of it, being motivated to go out there and serve the community," Fletes said.

During their graduation ceremony, the department chaplain told the class that they are not going out to the streets of Los Angeles as warriors, but as peacekeepers. The graduates have completed 920 hours of training over 24 weeks.

"We are here to serve the community and that's exactly what we do. We go to create the peace, that's exactly why we're here," Cohen said.