Mayor Jacob Frey welcomes 29 new MPD recruits at graduation ceremony

On Friday, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey delivered remarks at the graduation ceremony for 29 Minneapolis Police Department recruits.

According to the release, Frey congratulated the recruits and underscored the important role they will have in keeping residents safe and furthering Chief Arradondo’s vision for the department.

“Our new MPD recruits are joining the department at a pivotal moment in our city and our nation’s history,” said Frey. “They will don the uniform and accept an extraordinary responsibility at a time of high expectations from all of Minneapolis, and it’s my honor as mayor to offer our city’s support. We will need these new recruits as full partners in our work to transform public safety, building trust in community, and charting a new course for this department. That work starts with taking Chief Arradondo’s new oath to heart.”

Officers were sworn-in using a new oath written by Chief Arradondo that reinforces the values and vision he has laid out for the department, including intervening against violations of another individual’s rights and upholding the sanctity of life.

Full text of the oath is included below:

I [NAME] do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution and laws of the State of Minnesota, and the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Minneapolis; that I shall, in recognition of my service as a peace keeper, first do no harm, that I will uphold and safeguard the sanctity of life, and that I will shield and protect my community from those who would seek to cause harm; that I shall intervene in protest, both verbally and physically, if I witness anyone violating another’s rights; that I recognize those I serve are members of the human family worthy of dignity and respect, and my term in office shall be guided by my love of service to the community and the grace of humanity