MPD graduates first police officer recruit

The Maricopa Police Department graduated its first police officer recruit Friday.

Officer Martice Berry became the first Maricopa police officer recruit when he graduated from Mesa Police Academy, class #29.

The Mesa Police Academy is one of several police academies statewide that certifies police officers under the direction of AZ POST, the Arizona Police Officers Standards and Training Board. Berry completed the twenty-week course, which included a very stringent academic, physical fitness and tactical education curriculum.

During the graduation ceremony, held at the Mesa Public Safety Training facility, Maricopa Police Chief Patrick Melvin was present to witness Officer Berry taking his sworn oath and receiving his police badge. Melvin was also presented with a plaque commemorating Berry’s graduation as the first Maricopa police officer to come out of the Mesa training facility.

Officer Berry took his place among the ranks of the Maricopa Police Department Tuesday when he began his field training on second shift.