POSTED: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 -- 4:40pm

27 recruits took the oath on Tuesday. However, the officers won't be street-ready until February of 2009.

They go through 34-weeks of training, including 12 in the field, with a veteran officer.

Madison Police Chief Noble Wray says this new class is the largest group in the city's history.

Last year, the department held several neighborhood meetings to address changing crime trends throughout the city.

The chief says public sentiment echoed the need for additional patrols.

"Seeing that, hearing that, clearly going to the mayor and council, articulating that need in the budgetary process last year," says Wray.

In addition to being the largest class, Wray says this is also the most diverse. For the first time, women and minorities outnumber white men.

"What's exciting about that is not only does this class reflect the community, but it's a quality group of individuals that will serve this group well," adds Wray.

Each recruit makes $41,000 a year. Combined, that's more than $1.1-million.

With the new recruits, Madison's police department now has 438 officers.

"Just excited to get going," says Jon Drollinger of Champaign, Illinois. "Excited to help the communing, serving Madison and keep the upstanding reputation."

The new class of officers includes:

Mary Acton, age 22, Fenton Michigan
Adrian Alan, age 25, Madison Wisconsin
Amanda Analla, age 21, Franklin, Wisconsin
Carlin Becker, age 35, Poynette, Wisconsin
Keri Berling, age 26, Slinger, Wisconsin
Rick Bruenig, age 39, Waunakee, Wisconsin
John Christian, age 21, Madison, Wisconsin
Jon Drollinger, age 22, Champaign, Illinois
Nicholas Ellis, age 25, DeKalb, Illinois
Richard Friday, age 25, Holland, Michigan
Zachary Haggerty, age 25, Hanover, Illinois
Glen Hill, age 22, Augres, Michigan
Cary House, age 28, Sault Ste Marie, Michigan
Roderick Johnson, Sr., age 31, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Shawn Kelly, age 29, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Sarah Mackesey, age 38, Madison, Wisconsin
Sonny Martinez, age 23. Marquette, Michigan
Alexandra Mayerhofer, age 32, Madison, Wisconsin
Michael Mendenhall, age 23, Big Rapids, Michigan
Brittany Meylor, age 29, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Gary Pihlaja, age 22, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Jacob Reno, age 29, Madison, Wisconsin
Kenneth Riley, age 29, Plover, Wisconsin
Anthony Ward, age 31, Fitchburg, Wisconsin
Charles Warren, age 32, Brooklyn, Wisconsin
Joseph Weberpal, age 22, Milton, Wisconsin
Harrison Zanders, III, age 28, Davenport, Iowa