The Police Academy Council has expelled 40 students after accusing them of allegiances to the Muslim Brotherhood, Ministry of Interior spokesperson General Hani Abdel Latif said Wednesday.

Investigations by the State Security Department found the defendants had first- and second- degree relatives who are members of the Muslim Brotherhood, and participated in pro-Brotherhood protests, Abdel Latif told state media.

He added that the students were in their final years of study, and were enrolled in the Academy during the presidency of Mohamed Morsi.

The spokesman said the ministry is running periodical investigations on the entire ministry’s staff, including officers, students, or conscripts, to ensure no security personnel have any political or party inclinations.

During his rule, Morsi welcomed a new class of students in the academy, and attended the graduation of a fresh class of officers.

All police officers are graduates of the Police Academy, where students spend four years studying security administration, criminal investigation, military drills, and law.

An intensive crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood figures and members has been taking place since the ouster of Morsi by the military in July 2013. The crackdown left hundreds of Morsi supporters dead or in prison.