PITTSBURGH, PA — Sixteen new police officers graduated from the Pittsburgh Police Training Academy during a ceremony held at Foerster Auditorium inside the Community College of Allegheny County, municipal officials announced.
The graduating cohort includes fifteen basic recruits comprising Basic Recruit Class 26-01, who began their comprehensive law enforcement instruction on February 23, 2026, alongside one certified recruit from Certified Recruit Class 26-02, who joined the program on August 24. Certified recruits enter the academy with prior Act 120 certification, completing city-specific training in approximately eight to ten weeks. Over the course of thirty-three weeks of classroom instruction, the basic recruits completed training in criminal law and procedure, the Pennsylvania vehicle code, patrol procedures, firearms, human relations, CPR, and de-escalation tactics.
Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando, addressing the graduates via video conference from the Major Cities Chiefs Conference in Florida, reminded the new officers of the solemn responsibility accompanying their badges. Addressing the recruits, Chief Lando stressed treating every community member with the dignity and empathy one would expect for a family member. Assistant Public Safety Director Takeena White also urged the officers to recognize the weight of their daily interactions, emphasizing kindness, patience, and professional integrity.
Prior to the official swearing-in administered by Assistant Chief Martin Devine, Mayor Corey O’Connor thanked the new officers for answering the call to public service and commended their dedication to protecting city neighborhoods while building community trust. The graduates will now begin thirteen weeks of field training across duty locations throughout Pittsburgh. The graduating class includes Trent Aguiar, Benjamin Brady, Nicolas Brown, Curtis Erlandson, Mason Hagan, Isaiah Mathews, Tyler Popovich, Jason Ranalli, Anthony Salopek, Anthony Segelson, Nathan Sippey, Tyler Tinsman, Arthur Venzin, Dante Vezio, Jahmar White, and Nathan Wicks.
The Pittsburgh Times
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Pittsburgh, PA
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