On Thursday March 28, 2019, a total of 76 polished recruits lined up at the East Los Angeles College Ingalls Auditorium, East Los Angeles 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. Academy Class 435 is made up of 15 female and 61 male graduates.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva presided over the graduation ceremony, and delivered encouraging remarks to their guests.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva was joined on stage by Chief Spagnoli, Beverly Hills Police Department, Assistant Chief Ronald Lizuka, Culver City Police Department, Chief Carl Povilaitis, Glendale Police Department, and Chief Mark Fronterotta, Inglewood Police Department, in presenting the 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, Griffin Armendariz, 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 training period. Joshua Adams, LASD was named 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 College of the Canyons Training Academy, brings together a collection of unique aspects, qualities and experiences. Academy Class 435 claims a vastly international collection of backgrounds, reflective of the vast array of cultures found within Los Angeles County.
Of the 76 graduating recruits, 9 were born outside the United States in the countries of Armenia, Germany, Mexico, Korea, Guatemala, Taiwan and Czechoslovakia; 12 recruits lived abroad in the countries of Czechoslovakia, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, and Vietnam; and 33 recruits speak a language in addition to American Sign Language, Arabic, Armenian, Czech, Slovak, French, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish.
We give a special thanks to the 25 graduates who carry on a proud family tradition of serving in law enforcement with our agency, Department of Insurance, California Highway Patrol, CDC, CDCR, El Monte PD, FBI, LAPD, LASD, Orange County PD, Riverside County Sheriff, San Bernardino Sheriff, and Tangipahoa PD.
In addition to the social enrichment and mindfulness they bring to enhance our agency, 29 graduates also carry a substantial source of education with them, having earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
We proudly recognize the 12 graduates who served in the military branches of the US Army, Airforce, US Marine Corps, and US Navy, as well as the 11 graduates with previous experience at other law enforcement agencies.
Congratulations Academy Class 435!
For questions or information, contact the Sheriff’s Information Bureau at 213-229-1850.
Prepared by:
Deputy Grace Medrano
Sheriff’s Information Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
211 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1850
Website LASD HQ: http://www.lasd.org
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Alex Villanueva, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
