LAS VEGAS, Nev. (702 Times, NV Globe) – After years of declines, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reports a surge in recruitment and interest in becoming a police officer.

A police academy class in September included more than 70 pupils, a record high for Metro Police.

According to Sergeant of Recruiting John Deschutter, the increase in numbers may be ascribed to various things, including strong recruiting techniques that have aided in outreach to service members. LVMPD has reinstated the Cadet Program, which helps 18-year-olds gain a position with the police immediately out of high school; cadets can be eligible for the police academy once they reach the age of 21.

“We’re seeing there’s a lot of motivated people that want to join the police force at 18. By the time you go to the academy at 21, you’re ready-made for the job. And we’re not losing people at 18 to 21 to various other careers. We’re keeping them local and keeping them in-house with us,” DeSchutter said.