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ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI)– The St. Louis Police Department is expanding its hot spot policing strategy in crime rich neighborhoods with new foot patrols, done by brand new officers.
All 26 recruits who graduated Thursday night from the police academy will be walking a beat.
The department has identified certain neighborhoods where officers will walk in pairs.
Police Chief Sam Dotson says he wants to make sure the new officers start with a positive connection to the community and build relationships.
The St. Louis Police Department says this is the first time that an entire academy graduation class will be assigned to foot patrols. The 26 new officers were sworn in Thursday night and start their new assignments on Monday.
