Chicago Police Recruits Rarely Wash Out of Academy

Over a recent four-year period, the academy graduated more than 97 percent of its recruits, according to department figures obtained by the Chicago Tribune through a public records request.

Chicago Police recruits have little reason to worry about washing out, according to statistics gathered by the Chicago Tribune.

In fact, all but a relative handful of trainees graduate from the academy and become cops, raising concerns about how rigorous and selective the department is in inducting new officers.

Over a recent four-year period, the academy graduated more than 97 percent of its recruits, according to department figures obtained by the Chicago Tribune through a public records request.

By comparison, a U.S. Department of Justice study of some 600 police academies across the country found about 86 percent of recruits graduated between 2011 and 2013.

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