(PITTSBURGH)  Aug. 20    Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today announced the start of the City’s newest police class, which is marked by the highest diversity among participants in over a decade. With a total of 41 applicants, 22 percent are female and over 10 percent are minority. By comparison, these numbers are double the average of female and minority participation over the last decade and a result of the City’s targeted minority recruitment, education and awareness campaign called DiverseCity365.

“This is by far the most diverse police class that the City has put on in at least 11 years,” Ravenstahl said. “While there is still much work to be done, we are on our way to a more diversified police force."

Of 41 participants, there is one Asian male, one black male, one black female, one Indian female and one Hispanic male.  A total of nine females are in the class.

Under the Mayor’s direction, the City’s Department of Personnel expanded their recruitment efforts to include areas outside of Pittsburgh, such as neighboring boroughs and even other cities and states such as New York and Florida. In addition, the DiverseCity365 Campaign partnered with CCAC to provide applicants with free police test prep classes.  As a result of these efforts and more, last spring drew a record number of applicants. Over 2100 applicants applied for the police test, almost double the best year on record for applicants in 1999.

“This class is as geographically diverse as any other as well, and many of the recruits swear by the advantage of the free classes at CCAC,” Ravenstahl said.  

All 41 members of this police class reported to their first day of class today at the Public Safety Training Academy. Veteran recruits will conclude their in-classroom training on Sept. 27 and will be sworn in the following day. All other recruits will be sworn in Mar. 29.

“It’s clear that our hard work to attract more minorities to City government works,” Ravenstahl said. “Not only have we significantly increased the percentage of minorities in leadership positions, but we’ve begun to improve the minority representation of our police bureau - a task that so many thought could not be done."