FLINT, MI — The Flint Police Department will hold a graduation ceremony tonight to participants who have completed Reserve Academy training.

Eighteen graduates started training in November and are set to receive badges at a ceremony tonight.

Flint Spokeswoman, Kristin Moore, says the city hasn’t had a police reserve program for some time and the newly graduating reserves will work at various community events.

“The Flint Police Department hasn’t had an active Reserve Officer Program in decades,” wrote Moore in a March 6, 2017 press release. “Chief Johnson felt it was important to bring the program back to provide the department with administrative and patrol support. The reserve officers will also be called on to help with large scale special events like Crim races and Back to the Bricks.”

Badges will be given to graduates by Police Chief Tim Johnson during the ceremony tonight at the Flint City Hall Auditorium at 7 p.m.