KCPD Welcomes Largest Police Academy Class Since 2007

Publish Date 01/27/2026

Images from 187th's EOC first day

On Jan. 26, KCPD welcomed its largest police academy class since 2007. In total, 50 recruits make up the 187th Entrant Officer Class.

Eleven are veterans. Six are naturalized citizens. Five are former KCPD interns.

The large academy class continues the trend of larger classes and the addition of officers, as more recruits join the largest police department in Missouri and Kansas.

Excerpts from a news report:

Captain Justin Pinkerton of the Employment Unit said the size and diversity of the class reflects extensive recruitment efforts.

“It really blows me away to see the number, but also the diversity,” Pinkerton said. “It just goes to show the efforts of the recruitment team getting out in different segments of the community, and not just KC, but across the country.”

Several recruits shared their motivations for joining the force. Recruit Ella Tomasic, whose parents both served with KCPD, said she is “most looking forward to building the camaraderie.”

“I think diversity makes us stronger for any organization,” said Tomasic, who previously interned with the department in 2022.

Recruit Tyler Wilhelm, an Army veteran who served as an Apache attack helicopter crew chief, echoed the importance of relationships.

“I would say the camaraderie,” Wilhelm said. “You hear officers talk about friends throughout their life they met within the Academy.”

Wilhelm participated in the military’s Skill Bridge Program, completing a 90-day internship with KCPD before joining the academy

Recruit Farqad Alabboodi, who moved to Kansas City from Iraq in 2012, said he will make history with the department.

“I’m the first Iraqi to become an officer with the KCPD. So that’s a great representation of my community in Kansas City,” Alabboodi said.

Alabboodi earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice and criminology and completed internships with KCPD before applying.

Recruit Litzy Ferman, a former detention officer, said she wants to bridge gaps with the Latino community.

“I want to help the Latino community. Let them know not to be scared of the police. Not all police are bad,” Ferman said.

Pinkerton said the department’s intern program has grown significantly, now accommodating 15 to 20 interns at a time compared to two or three previously.

“It’s yielded very good results for KCPD,” Pinkerton said. “It’s translated into a lot of careers over the last couple of years for our interns.”

The recruits are expected to graduate in August. Department officials said there is a possibility the class could assist with behind-the-scenes or support roles during the World Cup.