RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — After more than 1,200 hours of training, Williesha Spencer is finally a Raleigh police officer.

Spencer is the recipient of her class driving award, and she’s one of 34 new officers who graduated from Raleigh’s 128th police academy. Spencer was a soldier stationed at Fort Liberty. Rather than heading back home to New York, a recruiter convinced her to join the Raleigh Police Department as she transitioned out of the military.

“Closing that chapter of my life, I wanted to embark on something that had the same meaning but this one definitely provided a lot more,” Spencer said.

Recruiting is a challenge for departments everywhere. The starting salary for an officer in Raleigh is about $50,000 a year, but the city has developed a number of bonuses and incentives to entice recruits.

It could be working as several officers in the class came from other agencies. It’s a strategy other agencies have struggles to compete with.

“Coming to the City of Raleigh is a different type of policing for them,” said Daniel Hicks, training director for the department. “We’re excited to have them and I know that they chose Raleigh PD because it was the best for them in their law enforcement career.”

As a former officer himself, he knows what it takes to be one.

“Having a heart for service is absolutely necessary to continue to do this job day in and day out,” said Hicks. “It certainly has its tough and trying times but the rewards that come with being a police officer speak to that heart of service.”

RPD told CBS 17 they have 87 vacancies. They hope to fill them with recruits like Spencer.

“Right now, my main goal is to be a great patrol officer and to be able to positively impact the community and develop and build that rapport,” she said.

Raleigh police are hosting a hiring event on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Wake County Law Enforcement Training Center. Click here for details.