BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — New Baton Rouge Police recruits started their training on Monday, with a little help from newly elected Mayor-President Sid Edwards. Edwards used his coaching background to help soon-to-be officers. He’s treating his new class of police recruits to a motivational speech on their first day at the academy.Edwards says, "Part of my job is to encourage and try to motivate young people towards success." said Edwards. "When I coach, I want to win every football game." He's calling on his spirituality to raise morale."We’re praying for you," he said. "We pray you all make it through, and you have the mental fortitude to come help us.”Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse said he's inspiring each person in the class of twelve to the best of his ability as well. "Always on day one, I tell them to write down for me, what is their why," said Morse. "What I mean by that is why do you want to be here, why do you want to be a police officer, why do you want to serve, and then we remind them of that throughout the Academy.”The Police Academy runs twenty-two weeks, with Morse saying this class will graduate to the force in June."I've had some great conversations with the mayor," said Morse. "He ran on public safety, priority, so we’re sitting down having some conversations. ‘Is our budget going to look different? Is there going to be any supplement to that?  How can we get some assistance on getting some pay raises for our officers?’”"I want to be a part of the recruitment process, trying to encourage more folks to come out, but those twelve in there, that is vitally important, and we’re pulling for them all to make it,” said Edwards. Mayor-President Sid Edwards taps Charlie Davis as interim chief administrative officer Edwards also announced his choice for Chief of Staff, retired Naval Officer, Lon Vicknair. Vicknair said he's excited to work for the citizens of Baton Rouge, and Edwards to ensure the city is one our children want to call home and becomes the example other southern cities follow. Latest News New Orleans Saints players support interim head coach Darren Rizzi New Orleans Saints hope to find 'delicate balance' during offseason LSU Gymnastics freshman Kailin Chio impresses in first collegiate meet City of Gonzales hosts historic inauguration, brings in new city leaders Trump Jr. plans Greenland visit after father stirs controversy