Mohan congratulates newest Huntsville police officers

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- The Redstone Arsenal senior commander joined the city of Huntsville in honoring the community’s newest police officers.

Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan was the keynote speaker at the Huntsville Police Department’s 68th Session Academy graduation, where HPD swore 13 officers into the force.

“Your journey as police officers in many ways mirrors what we do in the United States Army,” Mohan said. “We both answer the call of service, placing ourselves in harm’s way to protect others. We both share the responsibility of upholding the values in which our nation was founded, and most importantly, we both strive to build trust and foster prosperity.”

Police Chief Kirk Giles said the 13 graduates will join HPD’s force of nearly 450 officers and nationwide approximately 660,000 police officers.

“You are a part of the proud and select few,” said Mohan. “You could have chosen a different professional, an easier path, a safer journey but instead you have chosen to serve and to wear the uniform and to and sacrifice for your community.”

Similar to the Army, it’s estimated that less than 1% of the U.S. population serves in law enforcement. Mohan said this is one of the many similarities that ties the two professions together, saying that six of the graduates had previously served in the military and four continue to in the reserve or National Guard.

“Our professionals are not nine-to-five jobs, we like to say we are on duty 356 days a year,” he said. “You don’t know what the next call will be, but you know that there will be a next call and that can be whether you are in uniform or not, because you are never really off duty.”

Mohan encouraged the graduates to follow the Army’s example and strive to put people first.

“At the core of our mission, whether in the military or in law enforcement, is to serve and protect the people we are sworn to defend,” Mohan said that they will often see people at their very worst moments and in that they will have the opportunity to inject a little positivity. “Always remember the impact you have on the lives of those you serve.”

During the early stages of the cadet’s 19-week training, HPD mourned the loss of Officer Garrett Crumby who was shot and killed in the line of duty, and Officer Albert Morin who was wounded in the same shooting.

“People first, means looking out for one another,” Mohan said. “Stay vigilant, stay connected, and always have each other's backs.”

Giles said the graduates now carry the responsibility, not to carry the badge, but to be worthy of it.

“How you carry yourself will define your career as an officer,” Giles said. “Be a great person first, because that is what makes a great police officer, not the other way around.”