HOUSTON -- A new class of cadets began their police training Monday after Chief Harold Hurtt welcomed the recruits and talked about the shortage of officers the department is facing, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Houston Police Department Chief Harold Hurtt welcomed 73 members of Police Cadet Class No. 186 as they began their new careers in law enforcement on Monday.

"You are joining one of the proudest professions of all times," Hurtt said.

Hurtt told the new cadets that ethics is the basis for everything done in the department, and told the newest members to ask themselves if working in law enforcement is really where they want to be.

The department is currently 750 officers short. HPD has asked City Council to approve a plan that would allow the department to offer $7,000 bonuses to some recruits, as well as start some salaries according to the number of years they have already worked as a peace officer in the state of Texas.

Hurtt said the department must "look out for the long-term health of public safety in the city of Houston. That means hiring people who are going to be spending the next 25 to 30 years in the Houston Police Department."

Recent news out of the automobile industry has the department looking at other recruitment possibilities as well.

"Ford is going to be laying off 25,000 employees, and we are out doing our research … looking at which cities that they are going to be laying off and we are going to be sending recruitment teams out there," Hurtt said.

The Houston Police Academy lasts six months. Department officials said they are taking applications for a modified 12-week course for certified police officers willing to make the move to Houston.