Twenty-four new officers joined the ranks of the Bridgeport Police Department during ceremonies held in City Council Chambers Friday evening.

The class, the 34th to graduate from the Bridgeport Training Academy, took the oath of office and received their badges from Mayor Bill Finch and Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. U.S. Congressman Jim Himes also attended the graduation.

“Public safety is my number-one priority,” said Mayor Finch. “Bridgeport is one of the safest cities in the state and we want to keep it that way. These officers will hit the ground running after several months of training. They are representative of our community, and I know they will do a wonderful job of keeping our residents safe. We have to thank Congressman Himes for assisting us in securing this funding.”

“Congratulations to our new police officers. I look forward to working with all of you,” Himes said. “Please know I will do everything in my power to ensure you have the resources you need to do your job safely and effectively and to protect and serve the people of Bridgeport and Fairfield County.”

The officers were hired with funding provided by the federal Community Oriented Policing Services of $4.8 million dollars received by the City in late 2009. The grant provides 100 percent of the salary and benefits for 20 entry-level officer positions over a three-year period. Awards were made on a competitive basis and are administered by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) through the federal agency’s COPS Hiring Recovery Program.

“The addition of these new officers to the Bridgeport Police department, thanks to this federal program, will enhance the department’s community policing and overall crime prevention efforts,” said Chief Gaudett. This cadet class also includes one officer who will join the Milford Police department, for a total of 25.

The new officers will hit the streets under the supervision of a training officer for the next three months followed by four months of probation.

The City of Bridgeport also recently received another $5.6 million in COPS funding to hire an additional 20 police officers. A new training class will begin in early 2012.

The following joined the Bridgeport Police Department: Phillip Norris Jr., Christopher Zaleta, Michael R. Carter , Marie Cetti, Eliud Henry II, Ean Smith, David W. Rivera, Clinton Jarvis Jr., John Carrano Jr., Thomas Harper, Jonathan Duharte, Ashley Taylor, Eric R. Schneider , Marco Brito, Timothy Leonard , Jeffrey Franco, Jamie Jarrett, Albert Palatiello III, Daniel Paz, Sheldon Mayne, Fabio W. Pereira , Adam Rozum, Michael Stanitis, Paul Cari. John Ballard Jr. will join the Milford Police Department.