Newark, on Monday, began training 144 recruits to become new police officers.

Members of the New Jersey State Police will train recruits in the state's academy in Sea Girt. The class will graduate in December.

"This group of police recruits will receive advanced training in protecting residents and will become an integral part of the communities they serve," said Mayor Ras Baraka. "They will grow to understand that their job is to treat residents the way they would treat members of their own families."

The officers will also serve as role models, Baraka said.

"Wherever you go, justice and good and lightness should follow you," he said.

And, he said, that won't be easy because "people will talk to you and harass you and they will even jump on your car."

Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said these recruits will help restore the department's ranks after 167 officers were laid off in late November 2010 due to financial reasons. He said the new hires will make the city safer.

"I am delighted that we are steadily replenishing our numbers following the layoffs and attrition that occurred in the police department since 2010," Ambrose said.

The class is made-up of 109 men and 35 women, of which 46 are African-American, 63 are Hispanic or Latino and 35 are white.

The department currently has 1,082 officers. If the entire class graduates, it would bring the department's ranks up to 1,226, Newark police officials said.

- Patti Sapone contributed to this report.

Robin Wilson-Glover may be reached at rglover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RobinGlover. Find NJ.com on Facebook.