Sheriff Presides over Deputy Academy Class 444
SHERIFF PRESIDES OVER DEPUTY ACADEMY CLASS 444
On
Thursday February 6, 2020, a total of the 79 polished recruits lined up at the East
Los Angeles College, Ingalls Auditorium, 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 just before the ceremony.
The ceremony was a formal transformation of academy recruits into sworn peace
officers. Sheriff Alex Villanueva
presided over the graduation ceremony, and delivered encouraging remarks to the
12 female and 67 male graduates and their guest.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva
was joined on stage by Assistant Sheriff Bruce Chase, Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department; Chief George Mueller, California Department of Insurance;
Assistant Chief Ronald Iizuka, Culver City Police Department; Chief Mark
Fronterotta, Inglewood Police Department; Chief John Incontro, San Marino Police
Department in presenting the 79 graduates with their Peace Officer Standards
and Training certificates. The graduates were then officially sworn in as
California Peace Officers
In a special segment of the ceremony, Noah A. Oliver, Inglewood 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 training period.
Juan Fernando Portillo, LASD,
was honored as 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 College of the Canyons Training Academy, brings together a
collection of unique aspects, qualities and experiences. Academy Class #444 is
a largely international collection of backgrounds, reflective of the vast array
of cultures found within Los Angeles County. Of the 79 graduating
recruits, 12 were born outside the United States in the countries China, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines and Vietnam; 13
recruits lived abroad in the countries of China, Czech Republic, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Japan, Jamaica, Nigeria, Mexico and Vietnam; and 46 recruits speak a
language other than English, including Armenian, Cantonese, Igbo, Mandarin,
Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
These graduates bring with them a large source of higher education (32),
service experience in the armed forces (5), and backgrounds in law enforcement
(10), and many come from families with a tradition of serving in law
enforcement (17).
Congratulations Academy Class 444!