Philly Police Diversifying Workforce

In the latest estimates the department is about 57 percent white, 33 percent black, 8 percent Hispanic and 78 percent male

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By Steve Patterson

CBS Philly

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Pomp. Prestige. Pride.

In one moment, young men and women were both handed immense power and charged with the weight of incredible responsibility.

“I believe in the young generation. I feel like we can make a difference and that’s the reason we’re all here today. We took the oath. We took this job because we know we can take a difference.”

Brand new Philadelphia Police Officer Brian Strong is exactly what the department is looking for – A young African-American male dedicated to community policing in an era when his new bosses say those traits are hard to find.

Read full coverage here.