PERRYSBURG, Ohio — The Toledo Police Department welcomed 33 new officers into its ranks at the 69th Toledo Police Academy Graduation on Friday.
The auditorium at Owens Community College was packed with family and friends invited by the graduates for the ceremony.
Interim Police Chief Michael Troendle said he's beyond proud to have overseen the honor within his first seven days in his new position.
"This is an amazing way to cap my first week, getting to bring in 33 new officers into the department," Troendle said.
Prior to graduating Friday, Jack Oberthaler said he was excited for his mother, father, toddler and wife, who is expecting their second child, to watch him complete his journey in starting his second career. Oberthaler used to be a professional carpenter until he went back to school and realized he wanted to be a police officer.
"It was a seven-month-long interview process to get to this point," Oberthaler said. "I'm really excited to be done and be ready to get out there. I'm excited to get out there and talk with people, be with people. Not a policeman only for negative interactions. I'd like to be there for positive interactions as well."
Yet it's all those interactions, Troendle said, that are part of the training for the job, which not everyone can handle. The graduating class started with 50 people but only 33 saw it through to their badges.
"Our academy, it's hard for a reason," Troendle said. "We're giving these men and women a job that is critically important for our society."
Oberthaler said the training he underwent made him feel ready to help the community. Since he dreamed of being a police officer as a child, he believes the academy has done well.
"We went through a lot of scenario training," he said. "They prepared us very well for what we're about to encounter out there. I feel very prepared."