New police officers on Dayton's streets

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - 23 recruits walked across the stage to receive their diplomas Friday night at the Dayton Convention Center after six months of training in the Dayton Police Academy.

This day was extra special for Dayton Police Lt. Randy Beane and his family as he watched his son Michael become a police officer.

"It's quite an honor.  You know, I've had a great career.  My wife is a police detective.  We met in the academy.  I have another son who is a police officer with Dayton also and my third son is a deputy down in Kentucky.  So, law enforcement has been in our blood for a long time," says Lt. Beane.

He has some advice, not only for his son but the entire recruit class.

"Treat people how you would want to be treated, treat their families well, even if it's a bad guy, you treat them well and that will pay dividends in the future," explains Lt. Beane.  

This is the first recruit class since the Department of Justice settled a lawsuit with the city,  that accused Dayton's Police and Fire Departments of discriminating against African-Americans.  As a result, the city developed new selection procedures.  This recruit class includes 4 African-Americans, 1 Pacific Islander and 18 Caucasians.

When asked about those changes, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says these recruits only care about one thing.

"The men and women who are being sworn in, they're not concerned about that.  All they're concerned about is protecting themselves and protecting the community," comments DeWine.

The recruit class was also made up of 21 men and 2 women.