OFFICERS

the Columbus Police Division, which Jacobs said is between 20 and 25 percent minority.

“We are always looking to have a variety of backgrounds,” she said. “The more we look like our community, the better we can understand and protect those people.”

Not only is the group more diverse in race and gender, but also in experience and skill sets. Among the recruits are a former pastor, an Ohio State University football player, military personnel and officers from other states.

Anthony Hamilton, a 27-year-old from Dublin, was thrilled to be among the Newly graduated officers gather for a photo after they were sworn into office Friday.

graduating recruits. As his family left the auditorium of the police academy on the West Side, they swept him up in a tight embrace.

“It’s a great day,” said Hamilton, who will serve as an officer at Ohio State University. “I’ve always had a natural instinct to help others and be a pillar in the community, and I’m in a great position to bridge the gap between officers and people.”

Other graduates included former Ohio

State football player C.J. Barnett. And there’s Jason Fekinger, who stands 6 feet 8 inches tall.

The graduates will undergo 15 weeks of field training, working with experienced officers, starting Sunday. Thirty-two of the new officers will join the Columbus Division of Police; the other 13 will become members of police forces in Gahanna, New Albany, Grove City, Westerville, Hilliard and at Ohio State.

“While others are running away from chaos, danger and crime, our officers are running toward it,” Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther said. “They’re trained by the best to be the best.”

“We came here to learn,” said new Columbus police Officer Sarvone Johnson, 44, in an address to the crowd. “Now we are leaving to serve.”