Puerto Rico has graduated 696 new police cadets, strengthening law enforcement across the island. The new officers join the force as the government continues investing in recruitment, training and higher police salaries.
SAN JUAN — Puerto Rico welcomed 696 new police cadets Wednesday as Gov. Jenniffer González Colón and Police Commissioner Joseph González presided over the graduation ceremony for Academy classes 235A, 235B and 236A.
The graduating class includes 584 Puerto Rico Police Bureau officers, made up of 223 women and 361 men, as well as 93 municipal police officers who will serve in municipalities including Mayagüez, Juana Díaz, Utuado, San Germán, Manatí, Vieques, San Lorenzo, Vega Baja, Camuy and Vega Alta.
An additional 21 graduates completed reinstatement and reentry programs.
“Today we celebrate much more than a graduation. We celebrate the decision of these men and women to dedicate their lives to serving Puerto Rico,” González Colón said during the ceremony at the Coca-Cola Music Hall.
The training program represented an investment of nearly $5.6 million, with an estimated cost of approximately $8,000 per cadet.
The governor noted that many of the graduates are already serving communities by responding to emergencies and patrolling neighborhoods across the island.
Officials also highlighted recent improvements to police compensation. Upon completing the academy and becoming officers, graduates now receive a starting salary ranging from $3,612.84 to $4,516, following the first police pay scale revision in a decade. The previous starting salary was $2,860 per month.
According to the governor, the Police Academy currently has 800 cadets in training as Puerto Rico continues efforts to strengthen its public safety workforce.
