Police Chief Hurtt Ushers in 200th HPD Cadet Class

June 30, 2008 - At 8 a.m. today, Monday (June 30), Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt welcomed 60 new cadets to their first day of training and recognized their enrollments in the “200th Police Academy Cadet Class” in the department’s history.

The welcoming ceremony was held in room #436 at the L.D. Morrison Sr. Police Training Academy at 17000 Aldine-Westfield Road.

The Houston Police Department began the practice of the formal training of police cadets in 1939. The 1939 police academy was five weeks in length and was under the direction of Captain L.D. Morrison Sr. The first class is known as the "Class of 39." A second class of cadets followed in 1943.

However, in 1948, HPD began a time-honored system of assigning each subsequent police academy cadet class a number. Thus, Police Academy Cadet Class "1" graduated April 15, 1948.

Members of “Class 200” will have a special designation on their cadet uniforms, to acknowledge the milestone. The special epaulet on the uniform will consist of white stars on a navy blue background. The cadets will now undergo the standard 26 weeks of rigorous training prior to graduation.

“I am proud of each and every one of you,” said Chief Hurtt to the new cadets. “You have made it through a rigorous selection process and soon will become police officers with one of the premier law enforcement agencies in the nation and I look forward to seeing you again in six months when you graduate.”

JFC/JC

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.