Newark Police Department’s 114th recruit class during their graduation ceremony today in Newark. Fifty-eight recruits were sworn in as police officers.

Newly-sworn Newark Police Officer Genaro Ortiz knew first hand from his father, a veteran detective on the force, what it takes to want the job.

“I grew up all those years watching him. I guess his inspiration rubbed off on me,” said the 23-year-old Ortiz, who graduated in the city’s 114th police recruit class today.

Friends and family cheered wildly inside the city council’s chambers as 58 cadets joined the force, at a time when the department is undergoing radical management and policy changes.

About 250 police recruits have gone through the city’s police academy under Mayor Cory Booker’s administration. The force now has 1,312 officers, according to the city.

Police Director Garry F. McCarthy said he expects to add another 50 to 60 officers this year to boost services, while the department seeks to slash about $3 million in spending from its $156 million budget.

The report also will reflect a drop in shootings to 297 in 2008, down from 393 the year before, and 502 in 2006, as well as the city’s declining murder rate. Newark ended 2008 with 67 murders, a drop from 99 the year before, and 107 in 2006.

McCarthy had stood with Booker during the graduation ceremony, while former police chief Anthony Campos was left sitting to the side. It was a clear indication of the department’s shift to civilian leadership under McCarthy, who signed on with the city during the first year of Booker’s administration two years ago.

Campos resigned from being the city’s top cop in October, but has remained under the civil service title of deputy police chief, after tensions with McCarthy. Campos began serving as an adviser to the mayor on public safety issues on Jan. 1.

The city council is expected to hold a second public hearing Wednesday, before voting on an ordinance to completely do away with the chief’s position, leaving McCarthy’s authority unchallenged.

The move comes after the city settled a lawsuit filed by the Superior Officers Association, which questioned McCarthy’s ability to oversee the force. Booker said he wants the position abolished, so the director can absorb the chief’s responsibilities of the day-to-day operations of the department.

The mayor said today that the position may end up abolished, but that the focus of his leadership team, which still includes Campos, was the same.

“Judge us not by our organizational chart,” he said.

Booker, who also spoke to reporters, said that, “everything was up for discussion,” when asked how an additional $812 million cut in state spending announced by Gov. Jon Corzine this week could impact city services.

However, Booker insisted that police services would remain untouched.

“We are not going to cut back on public safety,” he said.

Many Police Academies and Government Agencies have been forced to reduce their budgets. Although Police Training is instrumental and is evident within the daily functions of Police Officers nationwide, many Police Academies are forced to trim their budgets and find more efficient training programs to serve their officers.