MPD recruits work on team-building during first week of training academy

MADISON, Wis. – Over the next six months, the Madison Police Department will recap each week of its in-house training academy.

There are 32 recruits in this year’s class.

On Tuesday, they took an oath of office to serve and protect the people of Madison during a special ceremony.

Since then, the recruits spent time doing onboarding paperwork and attending a ropes course, which is designed to improve communication and help the class grow as a team.

“Every year, this group starts as strangers. But by this fall, they’ll be family,” said Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes.

MPD’s Academy runs from May until November and is one of the most comprehensive academies in the country.

Recruits will receive extensive training in areas such as law, crisis intervention, use of community resources and patrol tactics. In November, they enter the field-training portion of their careers.