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Long Beach Police Academy Welcomes Largest Recruit Class in Department History
By Staff Writer
Published on Sat, Jan 24, 2026
The Long Beach Police Department marked a historic milestone this month with the launch of Academy Class 100—the largest class of recruits in the department’s history.
Training officially began on January 12 at the Long Beach Police Academy, where 98 recruits started an intensive 26-week program designed to prepare them for careers in public service. The academy, recently updated to support larger class sizes and enhanced instruction, features improved classrooms and training spaces for both recruit and advanced officer training.
Academy Class 100 will undergo comprehensive instruction covering criminal law, patrol procedures, firearms training, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, physical fitness and community-focused policing. Upon graduation, recruits will continue their development through approximately 12 months of in-field training.
With nearly 100 recruits in training, department officials note that the level of interest and participation reflects ongoing, multi-faceted recruitment efforts and strong engagement with applicants throughout the hiring process. LBPD actively recruits at community events, colleges and universities, sporting events, criminal justice programs and military bases. For this hiring cycle, the department also offered recruitment incentives, including a hiring bonus and housing and childcare incentives for eligible employees.
Graduates of Academy Class 100 are expected to help fill existing vacancies within the department. The Long Beach Police Department is currently budgeted for 797 sworn officer positions, and officials say maintaining strong recruitment pipelines is essential to meeting public safety needs.
Those interested in learning more about career opportunities with the Long Beach Police Department can find additional information on the department’s recruitment website and at future community outreach events.
