The Essex County Police Academy welcomed in more than 70 police officers to seven departments across the county.

The welcoming of new police officers at Saint Lucy’s Church in Newark Wednesday afternoon comes at a time when police departments nationwide are struggling with staffing shortages.

Irvington, Newark, Orange, Bloomfield, West Orange, Kearny and Nutley police departments as well as the Essex County Sheriff’s Office all welcomed in new recruits.

In Newark, 34 new police officers will officially be sworn in next week. The diverse class includes 19 Hispanics, 10 Black and five white officers. And seven of the new officers are female.

The new recruits had to complete 22 weeks of basic training at the Essex County Police Academy. This will be followed by months of in-service department training. The academy already has several new members ready to start training this coming July.

Newark Police Chief Emmanuel Miranda says the interest and commitment is what they’ve needed as the start of summer season begins.

“We always have a busy summer. So these 34 officers being added to the department, it’s going to be great to put them right into the neighborhoods right away, focusing on the community focus team. And they will be out in the neighborhood where we have our hot spots,” Miranda said.