On a cold but clear sunny day thirty new Los Angeles Police Officers marched across the famous LAPD Elysian Park academy field. The ceremony opened up with the invocation from the Department Chaplain. He prayed over the class and stated "On this last day of the year, they have saved the best for last.” Class 07-09 will be entering the Department at the beginning of a new decade. They have not been a part of the LAPD’s past but they sure will be part of the future.
During a speech given by Class President, Silva Meraz, she commented on a statement given by her Drill Instructor, stating "Only consistent thing about this Department is change". And change is what this new class will experience once they leave the academy environment.
Chief Charlie Beck welcomed the new Officers to the Department and delivered a heartfelt speech. He gave his motto, "Cops Count, Character Counts, do the right thing and you can be the difference." He told them "What you do matters, nothing matters more than a Police Officers character." He stated "Sometimes the Letter of the Law and Sprit of the Law are at odds. What I tell you to do is, follow your heart, do the right thing. If you do these things, you will be the difference." He ended his speech with thanking and congratulating the New Officers to the Los Angeles Police Department. 
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