The Albuquerque Police Department has announced the addition of 100 new officers and police service aides (PSAs) to the APD's workforce, the city announced in a news release on July 18.

“These cadets will be a huge help to the officers who are working so hard every day to fight crime and keep our community safe and their diversity will help them to better understand and serve the residents of Albuquerque,” APD Chief Harold Medina said in the release.

The new hires join a squad of 876 sworn officers and 41 PSAs, the city announced. The recruitment effort includes 60 police cadets, 10 lateral hires, and 30 PSAs, as the city aims to strengthen the department's capabilities in ensuring public safety and meeting community needs according to a press release by The City of Albuquerque.

“We are proud to have the highest paid cadets and officers in the state of New Mexico, thanks to Mayor Keller, our council, and the APOA working together," Medina added in the release.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller added that the additions are the result of a concerted effort by the city.

“This high number of new hires in these classes are a testament to the investments we have made to prioritize recruitment and retention of our officers in order to better fight crime in our city,” Keller said in the release. “We are grateful to each of these cadets for taking the first step in public service and wish them luck as they begin their journey toward becoming police officers and PSAs.”

Lawrence Rael, the APD's Chief Administrative Officer, added that the investment in staff is ongoing.

“Our administration is and will continue to invest in public safety,” he said in the release. “It’s wonderful to see so many individuals stepping up to be a part of the solution in our city, and to have the support of our state legislators as we build up our police department.”