The Lawrence Police Department welcomed five new police officers to its force Friday night at the 27th annual Basic Recruit Academy ceremony.

The five officers were sworn in and given their badges in front of family, friends and city leaders at Maceli’s, 1031 N.H.

The recruits are Matthew E. Klock, Newton; Joshua K. Leitner, Olathe; Christopher McCaig, Fort Riley; Kimberlee Nicholson, Leavenworth; and Adam Welch, Topeka.

Welch, 23, said that the academy taught him “how to be a great police officer” and that he was excited to begin his career in Lawrence.

The 22-week academy that tested them physically and mentally was a memorable experience, he said.

They completed classroom and hands-on training and several interviews before the final phase of the academy, which is one week of officer survival training. The academy is at the Lawrence Police Department’s Investigations and Training Center and is eight weeks longer than the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center’s minimum requirements for law enforcement training.

Lawrence police Sgt. Kirk Fultz, an academy training officer, said the final week is crucial to “put them to the test.”

Fultz said they have to respond to various role-playing scenarios performed by other training officers. They must remember city ordinances and laws while handling high-stress situations.

Fultz said he was especially impressed by this year’s class.

“On the whole, they seemed to do a better job” than other classes, Fultz said.

The new officers grasp law enforcement and understand the concept of what’s expected of them. But the training will continue for the recruits.

They will observe dispatch, evidence, animal and parking control, administration and investigations to learn how the different entities of the police department work with officers on a daily basis. The new officers complete training with a 14-week field training officer program.

During the ceremony, three police officers were honored for outstanding service and dedication to the department.

Officer James M. Welsh was given a commendation award for responding to a motorcycle accident on May 4 in Leavenworth County, while he was off duty.

The motorcyclist had severe injuries, and Welsh helped treat the victim until EMS arrived and then helped with the accident scene.

Lawrence police officers Ted J. Bordman and Todd D. Polson were given distinguished service medals for an Oct. 18 incident involving an armed, uncooperative and mentally unstable man in east Lawrence.