Fifteen members of the Big Island Police Department's 72nd recruit class were recognized last week during ceremonies held at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

The police recruits underwent more than five months of intensive training, and will now undergo almost four months more of on-the-job field training with veteran police officers before they will be qualified to work alone.

The recruits are class president Larry E. Flowers Jr., Bronson R. Acdal, Erhard Autrata, Shane A. Davis, Kawehilani Fo, Jason K. Hamada, Marlin H. Hopson, Alex T. Kapana, Daniel M. Kuwabara, Aaron L. Loges, Kimmerlyn K. Makuakane-Jarrell, Blaine H.J. Morishita, Eric J. Ontiveros, Keith K. Simeona Jr. and Sharon Yoon.