CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department graduated 38 new officers on Friday that will seek to protect and serve the Queen City.

• CMPD welcomes 38 new officers to the force
• Department says it is still short about 180 officers
• A 2017 survey shows recruiting has become more difficult due to personal safety concerns following high-profile officer involved shootings

The department estimates it’s short about 180 officers. Enough to grow the department 10 percent if all positions were filled.

One of the reasons police departments across the country have struggled to recruit, according to a 2017 survey from the Pew Research Center, 93 percent of officers have become more concerned about their safety as a result of high-profile officer involved shootings.

“We have this sad stereotypical picture of officers being bad guys so to say,” Officer Christopher Brant says. “It's just about getting in the community spreading knowledge so they understand that we’re not there to harm. We’re there to help.”

CMPD's entry level pay for new hires starts at the rate of $45,081.