MILWAUKEE— The Milwaukee police department welcomed 26 new officers to the force on Thursday as they graduated from the police academy.

For Shelisa Carson, this is the culmination of a six-month journey

“It’s been highs and lows, stressful. The instructors were awesome. They stayed on us, made sure whatever we needed to learn, was learned and whatever needed to be done was done. I had a lot of family support,” said Carson.

When they called her name at graduation, Carson said it was all worth it.

“To help the people that look like me: Black, Brown,” said Carson.

This graduating class is unique because it was funded through the cops grant, which the Milwaukee Common Council approved a year ago.

The grant from the federal government aimed to address to violent crime.

It’s also a part of a much larger effort of Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson to bring in nearly 200 more officers over the next year, after Milwaukee suffered from a record-high 197 homicides last year.

Milwaukee police officer recruit instructor Truman Bodd said these new officers will make a big difference.

“It’s going to make a huge impact on the citizens of Milwaukee. They are very eager to help the community and do their best,” Bodd said.

Now that Carson is officially an officer, she knows exactly how she wants to approach her new responsibility while turning the trend of violent crime around.

“I hope to change people’s lives one by one the best that I can, help them the best that I can, be there for them the best that I can,” said Carson.

Carson said she can’t wait to get out there.