Eleven new police officers were sworn into the Charleston Police Department on Monday. The class of new officers is the largest since 2005, according to a news release from the city. Officials are attributing the increase to a successful recruitment strategy. The 11 officers will start their training Tuesday with the Charleston Police Department Training Division. Then on Jan. 13, 2025, the officers will train at the West Virginia State Police Academy where they will receive 15 weeks of law enforcement training. The officers must complete over 850 academic hours, followed by a 20-week field training program where they will be directly supervised, trained and observed by the leaders of the police department. The Charleston Police Department will conduct its next hiring test on Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. You can apply online, or walk in on test day.