On Thursday, January 18, 2024, a total of 58 polished recruits lined up at the STARS Center (Memorial Wall Courtyard) in what would be their final platoon formation as academy classmates.After 22 weeks of rigorous academy training, the recruits pressed through an equally intense and meticulous formal class inspection by law enforcement executives prior to the ceremony.The graduation ceremony was a formal transformation of academy recruits into sworn peace officers. Sheriff Robert G. Luna presided over the graduation ceremony and delivered encouraging remarks to the 7 females and 51 male graduates and their guests.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna with a recent graduate. Courtesy photo/Los Angeles County Sheriff Department Sheriff Robert Luna was joined on stage by Chief Michael Albanese, Burbank Police Department; Deputy Chief Mark Benavidez, CSUN Department of Police Services; Chief Jaime Bermudez, El Segundo Police Department; Chief Manuel Cid, Glendale Police Department; Chief Gary Tomatani, Hawthorne Police Department; Chief Rachel Johnson, Manhattan Beach Police Department; Chief Fabian Valdez, San Fernando Police Department; Deputy Chief Darrick Jacob, Santa Monica Police Department; Chief Brian Solinsky, South Pasadena Police Department in presenting the 58 graduates with their Peace Officer Standards and Training certificates. The graduaes were officially sworn in as California Peace Officers by Sheriff Robert Luna.In a special segment of the ceremony, Officer Jake Calatayud, Glendale Police Department, was named as the class Honor Recruit. This award is earned by the recruit who achieved the highest numerical average based upon leadership qualities, academics, marksmanship, and physical performance throughout the academy. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Carlos Jimenez was honored as the Academic Recruit. This award is earned by the recruit who achieved the highest academic scores.Each class of recruits processed through the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department STARS Center Training Academy, brings together a collection of unique aspects, qualities, and experiences.Academy Class #470 is a largely international collection of backgrounds, reflective of the vast array of cultures found within Los Angeles County. Of the 58 graduating recruits, 35 recruits speak a language other than English, including Armenian, French, Japanese, Mandarin-Chinese, Romanian, Spanish, Tagalog.These graduates bring with them a large source of higher education (16), service experience in the armed forces (4), backgrounds in law enforcement (5), and many come from families with a tradition of serving in law enforcement (20).The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Congratulates Academy Class 470!
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