* This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting. [00:00:02] MY NAME IS WADE [Austin Commencement Exercise of the Austin Police Academy 147th Cadet Class] LIONS AND I'M THE COMMANDER OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S TRAINING DIVISION. I EXTEND MY THANKS TO EACH OF YOU FOR JOINING US THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S ONE 47TH CADET CLASS. IT IS TRULY AN HONOR FOR ME TO CELEBRATE THE GRADUATION OF AUSTIN'S NEWEST POLICE OFFICERS WITH ALL OF YOU. ON OCTOBER THE 10TH, 2020 2 55, MEN AND WOMEN CAME TOGETHER WITH A, FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS AND COMMUNITIES TO UNDERGO THE TRAINING REQUIRED TO BECOME THE AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS. AFTER 32 WEEKS OF RIGOROUS TRAINING FOR THE ONE 47TH CADET CLASS, 33 OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE SUCCEEDED IN THEIR GOAL. THEY HAVE ALL MET OUR DEMANDING PHYSICAL, ACADEMIC, AND ETHICAL STANDARDS AND WILL NOW HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF WEARING THE BADGE OF AN AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE STAND AND WELCOME THE GRADUATES OF THE ONE 47TH CADET CLASS. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS BY THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S HONOR GUARD AND THE SINGING OF THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER BY SENIOR POLICE OFFICER TODD GALBRATH. OH, UNIFORM PERSONNEL, ALL PERSONNEL FLAT FREEZE IT OH OH. CAN YOU SEE BY THE LIGHT WHAT PROUDLY AT THE TWILIGHTS LAST, WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THROUGH THE PER FIGHT, THE PART WE WATCHED WAS STREAMING AND THE ROCKS BURSTING THROUGH THE NIGHT THAT HER FLAG WAS [00:05:12] THE AND THE UNIFORM PERSONNEL. THANK YOU OFFICER GABRIEL, ALL UNIFORM MEMBERS, PLEASE REMOVE YOUR COVER FOR THE INVOCATION, WHICH WE WILL BE DELIVERED BY THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT SENIOR CHAPLAIN ROBBIE MARIE BETCHA. READY? LET US PRAY TOGETHER, MERCIFUL FATHER IN HEAVEN, LOOK DOWN WITH LOVE UPON ALL OUR POLICE OFFICERS WHO PROTECT ALL OF US FROM THE RAVAGES OF VIOLENCE AND EVIL IN EVERYTHING THAT OUR POLICE DO AND IN EVERY PLACE THAT THEY GO. LORD, WE ASK YOU TO PROTECT THEM AS THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY. IN THIS INCREASINGLY DANGEROUS WORLD, OUR POLICE ARE ON THE FRONT LINES AND SO WE ASK THAT YOU, GOD, GO WITH THEM IN THEIR DUTIES. HELP THEM TO NOT BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD. MAY YOU KEEP THEM SHELTERED UNDER YOUR WINGS OF PEACE TO OUR 147TH CADET CLASS SOON TO BE SWORN IN AS POLICE OFFICERS, WE HONOR AND THANK YOU AS YOU ARE SOME OF THE MOST EXCEPTIONAL, HAVING BEEN ENDOWED WITH AN IMMENSE INNER STRENGTH, ENABLING YOU TO REACH A HIGHER PURPOSE IN LIFE. MAY YOU PURSUE YOUR DUTIES WITH HONESTY, HONOR, AND TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITIES. WE ARE LIVING IN A DIFFICULT TIME. GOD AND LORD, YOU HAVE CHOSEN THESE MEN AND WOMEN TO DEFEND THE WEAK, THE CHILDREN, THE OLD, THE WEARY THAT HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO DEFENSE. YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN GIVEN THE BEST TRAINING BY THE BEST OFFICERS AND THE BEST DEPARTMENT ANYWHERE ON EARTH. MAY GOD NOW GRANT YOU ALL THE WISDOM, COMPASSION, EMPATHY, AND LOVE. YOU WILL NEED TO DO YOUR JOBS. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT ALL OF US ARE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD AND WE MUST ALL WORK TO MAKE IT A BETTER WORLD. MAY YOU LORD GIVE THESE NEW OFFICERS THE COURAGE TO FACE AND CONQUER THEIR DAILY AND DIFFICULT TASKS TO KEEP THEM SAFE AS THEY RUN TOWARDS THE DANGER NOT FROM IT. PLEASE CONTINUE TO MAKE THEM STRONG WHEN OTHERS ARE WEAK, BRAVE, WHEN OTHERS ARE AFRAID AND VIGILANT WHEN OTHERS ARE DISTRACTED BY CHAOS. CONTINUE TO GIVE THEM THE STRENGTH OF BODY TO PROTECT OTHERS AND KEEP THEM SAFE GOD, AND PLEASE LORD BE AT THEIR SIGHT ALWAYS. MAY YOU BLESS THEIR FAMILIES WHEN THEY ARE AWAY AND MAY THEY RETURN TO THEM WHEN THEIR WATCH IS DONE. WE PRAY FROM ISAIAH FOR THEM THAT NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST THEM WILL PROSPER. WE PRAY FROM PSALMS THAT YOUR PROTECTING ANGELS WILL PROTECT THEM. WE PRAY FROM DEUTERONOMY THAT THEY WILL BE STRONG, COURAGEOUS, AND FEARLESS. WE PRAY FROM EPHESIANS THAT THEY WILL BE PROTECTED BY THE ARMOR OF GOD. AND WE PRAY FROM THE BOOK OF JAMES THAT YOU WILL GENEROUSLY GIVE THEM WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT IN EVERY SITUATION. AND I CLOSE WITH THE WORDS THAT I PRAY EVERY NIGHT FOR OUR OFFICERS, THAT YOU ARE THE REAL LIFE HEROES OF OUR TIME. WE THANK YOU FOR DOING A THANKLESS JOB. WE THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR STREETS SAFE, [00:10:01] SAFE FOR US ALL AND FOR OUR CHILDREN. WHEN YOU FACE DANGER, GOD WILL BE YOUR STRONGHOLD. WHEN YOU ARE EXHAUSTED, GOD WILL GIVE YOU STRENGTH. WHEN YOU ARE IN TROUBLE, GOD WILL BE YOUR EVER PRESENT. HELP. WHEN YOU ARE AFRAID, GOD WILL BE YOUR SHIELD, AND WHEN YOUR HEART GROWS FAINT, GOD WILL BE YOUR ROCK FROM THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU. MAY THE LORD MAKE HIS COUNTENANCE TO SHINE DOWN UPON YOU FROM THE HEAVENS. AND WHEN THE LORD LOOKS DOWN UPON YOU FROM THE HEAVENS, MAY HE GRANT YOU PEACE AND PROTECTION AND WE SAY TOGETHER IN THE LORD'S NAME. AMEN. THANK YOU CHAPLAIN BECHER. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE COMMISSIONING AND GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR THE ONE 47TH CADET CLASS IS UNDERWAY. PLEASE BE SEATED. I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A SPECIAL THANKS TO PASTOR CASEY BENSON OF THE BANNOCK BURN CHURCH FOR THE USE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL FACILITY. I WOULD LIKE TO NOW RECOGNIZE THE DISTINGUISHED GUEST ON STAGE AND IN THE AUDIENCE WHO HAVE JOINED US FOR OUR COMMISSIONING CEREMONY. PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL THE FINAL INTRODUCTION. ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, BRUCE MILLS, MAYOR KIRK WATSON, MAYOR PROTEM, PAGE ELLIS, DISTRICT EIGHT COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VALASQUEZ, DISTRICT THREE, COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE CHITA, VILLA DISTRICT FOUR, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN AL ALTER, DISTRICT FIVE COUNCIL MEMBER MACKENZIE KELLY, DISTRICT SIX, CHIEF OF POLICE. JOSEPH CHACON, CHIEF OF STAFF. ROBIN HENDERSON, ASSISTANT CHIEF JAMES MASON, ASSISTANT CHIEF JEFF GREENWALT, ASSISTANT CHIEF GISETTE GASLIN. DR. ANN LEE KREGAN, PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER AUSTIN CRIME COMMISSION. MR. EDUARDO MARGA, CHAPLAIN RA MARIE BECHER, LIEUTENANT ELIJAH MERICK. I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, THE AP D COMMAND STAFF FOR JOINING US THIS AFTERNOON OR EVENING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR YOUR ATTENDANCE. THERE'S ANOTHER IMPORTANT GROUP OF PEOPLE I WISH TO RECOGNIZE AND THAT IS THE STAFF OF THE TRAINING AND RECRUITING DIVISION. IT IS THROUGH THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS OF THESE OFFICERS, SUPERVISORS, AND CIVILIAN STAFF THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ASSEMBLE THIS GROUP OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED POLICE OFFICERS AND TRANSFORM THEM INTO THE FINEST POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OFFICERS IN THIS NATION. WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE RISE AND REMAIN STANDING FROM THE RECRUITING UNITS. SERGEANT HEATHER ROBINSON FROM THE CADET TRAINING UNIT, LIEUTENANT ELIJAH MEYRICK, SERGEANT JACOB BOROWSKI, CORPORAL MICHAEL DECKER FROM THE FIREARMS AND DEFENSIVE TACTICS UNIT. SERGEANT ADRIAN CHOPIN, SERGEANT JASON ROSSON, LIEUTENANT MANUEL JIMENEZ. ALONG WITH THESE SUPERVISORS, WITH ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE RECRUITING AND TRAINING DIVISION, PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE GIVE THEM A HAND. THANK YOU. YOU MAY BE SEATED. THIS IS A CELEBRATION OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 33 OFFICERS SEATED IN FRONT OF ME, AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE THIS DAY POSSIBLE TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE PROVIDED CARE, SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO OUR OFFICERS THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE ACADEMY. WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR ATTENDANCE HERE TODAY. THEY WILL NEED YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE DURATION OF THEIR CAREER. THANK YOU. [00:15:09] THIS EVENING WE WILL HONOR AUSTIN'S NEWEST POLICE OFFICERS, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AND CURRENTLY SERVED AS PEACE OFFICERS WITH ALL ACTIVE AND RETIRED PEACE OFFICERS. PLEASE STAND. EACH OF YOU HAS EARNED OUR THANKS AND RESPECT FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE AND WE REALLY WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. FINALLY, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO PAY RESPECT TO THOSE OFFICERS IN OUR COMMUNITY, STATE AND NATION WHO HAVE GIVEN THE FINAL MEASURE OF THEIR DEDICATION AND MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE BY GIVING UP THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY. PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN THEIR HONOR. THANK YOU. IT IS NOW MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER MAYOR KIRK WATSON. MAYOR WATSON HAS BEEN IMMERSED IN PUBLIC POLICY SPANNING LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT IN TEXAS FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES. MAYOR WATSON SERVED FIRST AS AN APPOINTEE OF GOVERNOR ANN RICHARDS BEFORE BEING ELECTED MAYOR OF AUSTIN IN 1997. IN 2006, HE WAS ELECTED TO THE TEXAS STATE SENATE AND SERVED FOR OVER 13 YEARS LEADING ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES INCLUDING EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, TRANSPORTATION, AND GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY. MAYOR WATSON HAS BEEN DESCRIBED BY THE TEXAS MONTHLY AS A MAN WITH THE VISION OF WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS AND THE MOXIE TO CARRY IT OUT. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME THE MAYOR OF AUSTIN KIRK WATSON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WELL THANK YOU AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, ASSISTANT MANAGER MILLS CHIEF CHACON, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF THE CADETS, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TO CELEBRATE THESE CADETS AT AN IMPORTANT MOMENT FOR THEM AND AN IMPORTANT MOMENT FOR OUR CITY. LET ME START BY CONGRATULATING OUR CONGRATULATING CADETS. EACH OF YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF WHAT YOU'VE ACHIEVED ALREADY AND ALL OF US HERE ARE HERE TO SHARE IN THAT PRIDE WITH YOU. I ALSO WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO YOU ON BEHALF OF OUR CITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS AND COMMITMENT TO SERVE AND TO PROTECT US. YOU PLAY THE KEY ROLE IN ASSURING THAT WE'RE SAFE AND THAT WE FEEL SAFE. ALL OF US AND FAMILIES THANK YOU TOO. YOU'VE MADE A COMMITMENT AS WELL. WE KNOW IT AND WE APPRECIATE IT. CADETS, YOU'RE ENTERING THE PROFESSION OF POLICING AT A CRITICAL TIME FOR AUSTIN, IN PART BECAUSE IT'S A CRITICAL TIME FOR POLICING, BUT THAT'S NOT NEWS TO YOU. YOU MADE AN AFFIRMATIVE DECISION TO BECOME POLICE OFFICERS RIGHT NOW KNOWING THAT YOU'LL BE CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF THIS MOMENT WITH YOU EVERY DAY. THAT'S AN ENORMOUS RESPONSIBILITY AND AN ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITY. YOU, OUR NEWEST POLICE OFFICERS CAN LEAD US IN THIS IMPORTANT MOMENT AND YOU MUST RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN A TIME OF REFLECTION AND A DEEPLY FELT CONVERSATION ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND POLICING THAT HAS RAISED A LOT OF CHALLENGING QUESTIONS AND ABSOLUTELY NO EASY ANSWERS. YOUR CODE OF ETHICS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PLEDGE. I RECOGNIZE THE BADGE OF MY OFFICE AS A SYMBOL OF PUBLIC FAITH AND I ACCEPT IT AS A PUBLIC TRUST TO BE HELD SO LONG AS I AM TRUE TO THE ETHICS OF POLICE SERVICE, PUBLIC FAITH AND TRUST. THAT'S WHAT WE ALL SHOULD BE STRIVING FOR. WE ALL YOU ME, THE CITY OF AUSTIN, THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE MUST CONTINUE TO LEARN AND EVOLVE. WE ARE ALL CAPABLE OF POSITIVE GROWTH AND IDEALLY, WE SHOULD ALWAYS [00:20:01] BE SEEKING NEW WAYS TO BECOME THE BEST VERSIONS OF OURSELVES FOR ALL OF US. NEW EXPERIENCES INFLUENCE THINKING, UNDERSTANDING IMPROVES BELIEFS SHIFT. IT'S ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT WE'RE AT A PIVOTAL MOMENT WHEN VALUES, OPINIONS AND GOALS IN POLICING HAVE SHIFTED AND WHEN WE CAN TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY RESPOND TO THAT SHIFT AND BRING ABOUT POSITIVE CHANGE THAT STRENGTHENS OUR CITY. RIGHT NOW, HOPEFULLY WE'RE ABOUT TO BEGIN NEW NEGOTIATIONS ON A CONTRACT BETWEEN THE POLICE ASSOCIATION AND OUR CITY. THOSE NEGOTIATIONS COME AMID SEVERAL COMPLICATING FACTORS, INCLUDING A RECENT ELECTION RELATED TO POLICE OVERSIGHT AND ALMOST CERTAIN LAWSUIT RELATED TO THAT ELECTION LEGISLATION AT THE CAPITOL ADDRESSING POLICING SERIOUS UNDERSTAFFING AT A P D OMID, A NATIONAL POLICE STAFFING CHALLENGE, A PARTNERSHIP WITH DPS TO PROVIDE A BRIDGE UNTIL WE CAN GET OUR A P D STAFFING TO BETTER LEVELS AND CITY COUNCIL ACTION TO SUPPORT OUR OFFICERS EVEN IN THE ABSENCE OF A CONTRACT BY GUARANTEEING SALARIES IN RETIREMENT AND PROVIDING RAISES ALONG WITH RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT INITIATIVES. AS I SAID, IT'S A COMPLEX SITUATION AND NO EASY ANSWERS, BUT IF WE'RE WILLING TO WORK THROUGH THESE TANGLED ISSUES WITH THE SHARED AIM OF EARNING THE PUBLIC'S FAITH AND TRUST, WE MIGHT JUST BRING ABOUT THAT REAL CHANGE THAT'S GONNA REQUIRE HONESTY ABOUT OUR SHORTCOMINGS AND FLAWS, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF WRONGS, CONCESSIONS OF FAILURES, HEARING PEOPLE MORE CLEARLY AND LEARNING MORE INTENTLY. IT WILL ALSO REQUIRE AN UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WON'T ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT ON THE FIRST TRY. THAT WILL OFTEN NEED TO EVALUATE, ADJUST, AND RECALIBRATE, AND WE WON'T EVER ACHIEVE PERFECTION. IN OTHER WORDS, WE MUST CONTINUE TO GROW AND LEARN AND THEN ACT ON IT. AUSTIN IS A SPECIAL PLACE AND NOTHING WOULD MAKE ME PROUDER AND NOT JUST AS MAYOR, BUT AS A CITIZEN THAN FOR THIS CITY TO GUIDE THIS NATION ON FINDING THE BALANCE IN 21ST CENTURY POLICING. I BELIEVE OUR BEST PATH FORWARD IS TO FORGE OUR OWN WAY TO BREAK WITH CONVENTION, TO EMBRACE POSITIVE CHANGE AND TO MAKE AUSTIN BETTER. BUT LET'S BE HONEST, THERE WILL BE SOME THAT SEEK TO BLOCK THAT EFFORT. THERE WILL BE NAYSAYERS, MANY OF WHOM SEEM TO CONFUSE TWEETING WITH LEADING, WHO WILL DEMAND THAT WE DO THINGS THEIR WAY OR NO WAY AT ALL. BUT AS YOU LEAVE HERE TONIGHT, OUR NEWEST POLICE OFFICERS, YOU, YOU ARE OUR LEADERS ON HOW TO DO BETTER AND HOW TO BE BETTER. MOST OF YOU ARE OF A GENERATION THAT SIMPLY DOES NOT ACCEPT OLD DIVISIONS AND WAYS OF THINKING. YOU CAN SEE THIS JOB THROUGH NEW EYES. YOU KNOW THAT POLICING IS CHANGING AND YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO FULFILL YOUR CALLING BY NOT JUST CARRYING OUT THE TRADITIONAL ROLE OF A COP, BUT BY EVOLVING THAT ROLE SO THAT IT PARALLELS A SOCIETY SEEKING CHANGE. SO I SAY TO YOU WITH THE DEEPEST RESPECT, PLEASE DON'T YOU BE NAYSAYERS WHO SEE POLICING ONLY AS IT HAS BEEN. INSTEAD BE THAT NEW GENERATION OF LEADERS WHO SUP. SEE POLICING AS IT CAN BE AND AS IT MUST BE TO TRULY EARN THE FAITH AND TRUST OF THIS COMMUNITY. PLEASE KNOW THIS. IF YOU ARE READY AND WILLING TO LEAD US IN THIS WAY, I AM HERE FOR YOU. IF YOU'VE GOT AUSTIN'S BACK, I'VE GOT YOURS. I'LL SERVE WITH YOU, STAND WITH YOU, SUPPORT YOU AND WORK TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO HELP PROTECT THIS COMMUNITY BY YOUR WORDS, BY YOUR ACTIONS, [00:25:01] BY THE TIMES WHEN YOU DON'T ACT, YOU SET OUR PATH TO SAFETY, SECURITY, FAITH, AND TRUST. YOU CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. REALLY ONLY YOU CAN. WE NEED YOU. WE'RE COUNTING ON YOU AGAIN. THAT IS AN ENORMOUS RESPONSIBILITY AND A GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY. I BELIEVE IN MY HEART THAT YOU WILL SHOW US THE WAY. CONGRATULATIONS. GOD BLESS YOU. THANK YOU, AND PLEASE BE SAFE AS YOU SEEK TO KEEP AUSTIN SAFE. THANK YOU MARY WATSON. EACH CADET CLASS ALEXIS OWN CLASS OFFICERS SELECTION IS CLASS PRESIDENT IS BOTH AN HONOR AND A SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITY. THE CLASS PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED TO SET AN EXAMPLE, PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN ACT AS THE CLASS'S OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE. AS SUCH, THIS ELECTION SYMBOLIZES THE CONFIDENCE THE CLASS IS BESTOWED UPON THIS INDIVIDUAL. THE 1 47 CADET CLASS HAS CHOSEN CADET REBECCA BUELL AS THEIR PRESIDENT CADET BUELL WILL SPEAK ON THE EXPERIENCES OF THE CADETS GRADUATING TODAY. CADET BUELL, PLEASE COME FORWARD. HOW Y'ALL DOING THIS EVENING? Y'ALL HEAR ME ALL RIGHT. I'M A LITTLE VERTICALLY CHALLENGED, SO OKAY. UP AGAINST GENTLE GIANT OVER HERE. ALL RIGHT. THANK Y'ALL FOR COMING OUT. WE APPRECIATE, APPRECIATE Y'ALL COMING OUT HERE TO CELEBRATE THIS NIGHT WITH US. UH, MY NAME IS REBECCA BUE AND I'M HONORED TO SPEAK TO YOU ALL. ON BEHALF OF THE 1 47 CADET CLASS, THE OFFICERS YOU SEE BEFORE YOU TODAY ARE NOT THE SAME PEOPLE THEY ONCE WERE EIGHT MONTHS AGO. THEY HAVE STRUGGLED, FOUGHT, ADAPTED, AND ENDURED THROUGHOUT THIS JOURNEY FROM CADET TO OFFICER. THIS CLASS HAS OVERCOME INTENSE STANDARDS SET BY THE ACADEMY ACADEMY IN CONJUNCTION WITH MAINTAINING THEIR PERSONAL LIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. THEY HAVE SHOWN UP EVERY DAY DESPITE THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE COME THEIR WAY AND EVERY SINGLE ONE HAS EARNED THEIR PLACE HERE TODAY, I'VE BEEN BLESSED TO BE ELECTED BY THESE MEN AND WOMEN AS THEIR LEADER THROUGHOUT THIS EXPERIENCE. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ACADEMY TRAINING STAFF FOR THEIR TIME AND DEDICATION. YOU KEPT OUR BEST INTEREST IN MIND EVEN WHEN THAT MEN STAYING IN LATE OR COMING IN EARLY. YOU ALL WORKED TIRELESSLY AND WITHOUT COMPLAINT TO ENSURE OUR SUCCESSES OFFICERS TO THE FAMILIES, SPOUSES AND FRIENDS. YOUR SACRIFICE HAS BEEN JUST AS BIG AS OURS. YOU'VE SUPPORTED US THROUGH THIS PROCESS WITH LOVE AND GRACE AND WITHOUT YOU ALL, WE CANNOT HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THIS TO THE OFFICERS THAT CAME BEFORE US. YOU HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR THOSE THAT FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS. YOU HAVE SET THE STANDARD FOR WHAT IT MEANS TO BE THE FINEST OFFICERS IN THE NATION AND TO WEAR THE BADGE WITH PRIDE AND TO THE CADET THAT DECIDED TO PURSUE HIS DREAM BACK IN MAY OF 19 OF 1997. YOUR PASSION AND DEDICATION TO THIS PROFESSION IS THE REASON I'M STANDING HERE TODAY. TO SEE THE LIFE OF AN AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER BEHIND MY FATHER'S EYES HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST PRIVILEGES OF MY LIFE. MAY WE ALL STRIVE TO BE OFFICERS WHO INSPIRE THE GENERATIONS TO COME. AS THIS CHAPTER OF OUR LIVES COMES TO A CLOSE, I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS MY CLASS ONE LAST TIME. CLASS. YOUR COURAGE AND PASSION FOR THIS PROFESSION IS UNMATCHED. YOUR DESIRE TO FIGHT FOR EXCELLENCE AND PUSH FOR A BETTER TOMORROW INSPIRES ME EVERY DAY. YOU ALL ANSWER THE CALL WHEN IT WAS NEEDED MOST AND YOU STEPPED INTO IT WITHOUT FEAR. I'LL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL TO HAVE SHARED THIS EXPERIENCE WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU. I'M PROUD TO STAND NEXT TO YOU ALL TODAY, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO WATCH. AS YOU ALL BECOME LEADERS WITHIN THIS DEPARTMENT IN THIS CITY AND YEARS TO COME, I CHALLENGE YOU TO KEEP LEARNING, LEADING AND INSPIRING THOSE AROUND YOU. REMAIN HUMBLE AND STRIVE TO BE THE HARDEST WORKER IN ANY ROOM AND NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED THE PRIVILEGE IT IS TO BE AN AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CADET BUELL. OUR FIRST AWARD THIS AFTERNOON IS THE HUMANITARIAN AWARD. EACH CADET CLASS NOMINATES A FELLOW CADET TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD TO HONOR THEM AS THEIR CLASS HUMANITARIAN. PRESENTING THE HUMANITARIAN AWARD IS MY COLLEAGUE, A P D TRAINING DIVISION MANAGER, DR. ANN KREEN. PRIOR TO JOINING THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, DR. ANN LEE KREEN WORKED AS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN AND THE ASSISTANT DEAN OF THE HENRY C. LEE COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND FORENSIC SCIENCES. [00:30:02] DR. CRINGING RECEIVED HER PHD IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FROM TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY. SHE WAS FORMERLY A POLICE OFFICER IN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA AND RECEIVED THE 40 UNDER 40 AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE IN OCTOBER OF 2022. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME DR. ANN LEE KREER. THE HUMANITARIAN AWARD WAS ESTABLISHED AND NAMED AFTER A RETIRED A P D LIEUTENANT ERNIE HENKEL TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEPARTMENT AND TO THE COMMUNITY. LIEUTENANT HENKEL WAS THE CLASS PRESIDENT OF THE 23RD CADET CLASS COMMISSIONED ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 1960. HE SPENT HIS ENTIRE CAREER AS A STREET OFFICER. ERNIE PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT IN 1973 WHERE HE REMAINED IN PATROL FOR 22 YEARS BECAUSE HE NEVER WANTED TO LEAVE THE STREET. AT ONE TIME, LIEUTENANT HINKEL WAS THE MOST DECORATED POLICE OFFICER IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, RECEIVED OVER 200 AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS IN 1993. HE WAS ONE OF 18 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS TO BE SELECTED BY THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT TO RECEIVE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR PROFESSIONALISM. LIEUTENANT HENKEL RETIRED ON NOVEMBER 25TH, 1995, AND DEVOTED MORE THAN 35 YEARS OF HIS LIFE TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT. HE ALSO GAVE UNSELFISHLY OF HIMSELF TO OTHERS EACH AND EVERY DAY OF HIS CAREER. HE REMAINS IN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS AS A SYMBOL OF WHAT A GREAT OFFICER SHOULD BE. COURAGEOUS AND KIND, HONORABLE AND HUMBLE, PRINCIPLED, WITH A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE FRAILTY OF THE HUMAN CONDITION. THE ONE 47TH CADET CLASS AWARD RECIPIENT IS CADET CALEB KING. PLEASE COME TO THE STAGE. THANK YOU, DR. CREAN. AND CONGRATULATIONS CADET KING. OUR NEXT AWARD THIS AF THIS EVENING IS FOR HONOR CADET PRESENTING THE HONOR CADET AWARD WILL BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER AUSTIN CRIME COMMISSION, MR. EDUARDO MARGA. MR. MARGA IS A CO-FOUNDER AND CO-OWNER OF AUSTIN FC, AND HE IS THE C E O OF PIX U INVESTMENTS, WHICH HE STARTED IN 2010. IN AUSTIN PICS U HAS ACQUIRED MANY LANDMARK AUSTIN PROPERTIES SUCH AS THE DRISCOLL HOTEL AND THE HISTORIC SCARBOROUGH AND LITTLEFIELD BUILDINGS. MR. MARGAIN AND HIS WIFE LORENA, MOVED TO AUSTIN FROM THEIR NATIVE COUNTRY OF MEXICO IN 2009. SINCE THEN, THEY HAVE MADE AUSTIN THEIR ADOPTED HOMETOWN. MR. MARGA SERVES ON THE BOARD OF THE FOUR A TX FOUNDATION AND IS A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN COUNCIL ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS. IN JUNE, GOVERNOR ABBOTT APPOINTED HIM TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. CURRENTLY, MR. MARGAIN SERVES AS PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER AUSTIN CRIME COMMISSION AND IS WORKING TIRELESSLY TO IMPROVE OUR CITY'S PUBLIC SAFETY BY SUPPORTING ITS FIRST RESPONDERS AND ESPECIALLY THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME MR. EDUARDO MARGAIN. THANK YOU. ON BEHALF OF OUR UH, GRATEFUL COMMUNITY, I WANT TO EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT APPRECIATION TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE, AND THE GRADUATING CLASS FOR CHOOSING THIS NOBLE PROFESSIONAL. YOUR COMMITMENT TO KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND UNITED IS COMMENDABLE. YOU ARE TRUE HEROES. SETTING THE EXAMPLE OF CITIZENSHIP AND DUTY FOR MANY ADULTS AND CHILDRENS, INCLUDING MY SON EDDIE, PRESENT HERE TODAY. YOUR DEDICATION, BRAVERY, AND SACRIFICE MAKES A PROFOUND IMPACT ON OUR LIVES AND THE WELLBEING OF OUR SOCIETY. THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO BE OUR GARDENS FOR YOUR UNWAVERING SERVICE IN PROTECTING AND SERVING THE CITY OF AUSTIN. THE LAST AWARD THIS EVENING IS THE HONOR CADET AWARD. THE HONOR CADET IS CHOSEN BY THE A APD TRAINING STAFF AS THE CADET [00:35:02] WHO BEST EXEMPLIFIES THE SKILLS AND ABILITIES THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT THROUGH THE TRAINING PROGRAM, LEADERSHIP, INTEGRITY, PROFESSIONALISM, INITIATIVE, HARD WORK, DEPENDABILITY, AND OVERALL PERFORMANCE. THE CADET WHO BEST REPRESENTS THIS SKILLS FROM THE 147TH CADET CLASS IS MARCOS BADONE. MARCOS. THANK YOU MR. MARGAN. IT IS NOW MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE THE CHIEF OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, JOSEPH CHACON. JOSEPH CHACON IS THE 10TH CHIEF, 10TH CHIEF OF POLICE WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, A ROLE HE HAS SERVED IN SINCE APRIL, 2021. PRIOR TO HIS APPOINTMENT, CHIEF SHAONE SERVED AS AN ASSISTANT CHIEF FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS, OVERSEEING PATROL, SPECIAL OPERATIONS, SPECIALIZED PATROL, INVESTIGATIONS, INTELLIGENCE, PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, AND TRAINING IN RECRUITING. CHIEF CHACON HAS SERVED AS A POLICE OFFICER FOR 31 YEARS AND HAS A WIDE BREATH OF EXPERIENCE IN ALMOST ALL AREAS OF POLICE WORK. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME AUSTIN POLICE CHIEF JOSEPH CHACON. GOOD EVENING. OH MY GOSH, I'M SO EXCITED. THIS IS AWESOME. THIS IS AN AWESOME EVENING. WHAT A WONDERFUL EVENING, EXCITING EVENT FOR US TO, UH, TO BE HERE FOR. I WANT TO THANK, UM, OUR CITY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT, UH, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, BRUCE MILLS RIGHT BEHIND ME FOR ALL SUPPORT YOU'VE SHOWN FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THIS ACADEMY TO THE MAYOR, OBVIOUSLY FOR HIS STRONG SUPPORT. ALL OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT ARE HERE THIS EVENING, UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH. UH, WANNA POINT OUT MEMBERS OF OUR SISTER DEPARTMENT THAT ARE HERE, UH, FIRE CHIEF, UH, JOEL BAKER IS HERE, AS WELL AS CHIEF OF STAFF. ROB BYERS. THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THIS EVENING. UH, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE MEMBERS OF EMS, OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT ARE HERE. UM, THANK YOU COMMANDER WADE LYONS AND TRAINING DIVISION MANAGER, UH, DR. ANN CORGAN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN BRINGING THESE CADETS TO THIS MOMENT. AND THANKS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ARE HERE THIS EVENING. UM, MEMBERS OF THE GREATER AUSTIN CRIME COMMISSION, INCLUDING MR. EDDIE MAGA, WHO'S HERE THIS EVENING AND, AND DELIVERED THAT UH, LA LAST AWARD. UH, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE MEMBERS OF, UH, THE MEXICAN CONSULATE AND ANDES WHO, UH, IS HERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, SAFE ALLIANCE, CENTRAL HEALTH, ADL, MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING, UT IN TEXAS STATE, THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY LIAISON JAIL. THE JOBS LEADERS IN OUR FAITH COMMUNITY ARE ALL HERE THIS EVENING. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. TO HONOR OUR NEW POLICE OFFICERS, IT'S HEARTWARMING TO SEE THE LOVE FROM THIS COMMUNITY. TODAY IS A GREAT DAY FOR OUR CITY. WE'RE ADDING NEW OFFICERS TO OUR RANKS, OFFICERS THAT ARE SORELY NEEDED AND ARRIVING AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME. WHAT YOU SEE BEFORE YOU TODAY ARE POLICE OFFICERS THAT ARE HIGHLY TRAINED, PROFICIENT, AND PREPARED TO HANDLE THE COMPLEXITIES OF 21ST CENTURY POLICING. THEY HAVE MET AND COME TO UNDERSTAND OUR AUSTIN COMMUNITY THANKS TO THE COMMUNITY CONNECT PROGRAM, AND THANKS TO OUR NEW TRAINING PARADIGM. ALL TRAINING THAT THEY RECEIVE IS DESIGNED TO INCLUDE THE ELEMENTS OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION. DEESCALATION TECHNIQUES HAVE BEEN TAUGHT THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMY, AND THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE SKILLS DURING THEIR SCENARIO BASED TRAINING SIMULATIONS THAT TOOK PLACE TOWARDS THE END. WE TEACH THE HISTORY OF POLICING AND SPECIFICALLY THAT HISTORY HERE IN AUSTIN IN THE ACADEMY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW AND TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU SEE BEFORE YOU [00:40:01] ARE POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE READY, ABLE, AND EXCITED TO BEGIN SERVING OUR AMAZING AUSTIN COMMUNITY. THEY ALSO JOINED THIS COMMUNITY ON AN IMPORTANT DATE. THIS IS THE CONCLUSION OF NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL WEEK, A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED WEEK IN WHICH WE HONOR POLICE OFFICERS WHO HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. EARLIER THIS WEEK, POLICE OFFICERS, FAMILY MEMBERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND OTHERS GATHERED IN WASHINGTON DC AS THEY DO EACH YEAR IN ORDER TO PAY THE PROPER RESPECT TO THE FALLEN. EARLIER THIS WEEK, THESE GRADUATES ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE CHIEF'S RUN AND ENDED THE RUN AT OUR STATE CAPITOL ON THE NORTH SIDE AT THE STATE'S PEACE OFFICER MEMORIAL, RUNNING THEIR HANDS OVER THE ENGRAVED MARBLE. THEY CAN LITERALLY FEEL THE NAMES OF TEXAS HEROES AND MAKE SURE THAT WE COLLECTIVELY NEVER FORGET. OUR RECRUITING STAFF ARE DILIGENTLY TO RECRUIT THESE MEN AND WOMEN AND HAVE RECRUITED A GROUP OF AMAZING PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE EXHIBITED NOT ONLY A DESIRE TO SERVE, BUT THE APTITUDE NECESSARY TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE OUR RIGOROUS TRAINING AGENDA. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE PUT IN TO HELP US GET TO THIS AMAZING DAY, AND I SAVE MY HARDIES AND MOST HEARTFELT THANKS FOR LAST, AND THAT IS FOR THE FAMILIES THAT ARE HERE TODAY TO WATCH AS THESE MEN AND WOMEN, SONS, DAUGHTERS, BROTHERS, SISTERS, FATHERS, MOTHERS GRADUATE AFTER A MONTH LONG MARATHON OF TRAINING. THANK YOU FOR THE STRONG AND AMAZING SUPPORT THAT YOU HAVE DISPLAYED THAT. BUT FOR THAT SUPPORT, THESE NEW OFFICERS WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY. TAKE THIS MOMENT TO CELEBRATE AN INCREDIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENT AFTER SIFTING THROUGH THE HUNDREDS OF APPLICATIONS TO BE A PART OF THIS ACADEMY IN CLASS. THIS IS THE SMALL GROUP THAT MET ALL THE QUALIFICATIONS NECESSARY TO BECOME AN AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER, TO DO THIS HERE IN THE CAPITOL CITY OF TEXAS, IN AUSTIN, WHICH I WOULD ARGUE IS THE BEST CITY IN OUR GREAT STATE. AND NATURALLY WE HAVE RECRUITED AND TRAINED THE VERY BEST OF TEXAS TO TAKE ON THIS GREAT TASK TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ONE 47TH, I NOW TURN TO YOU THE ONE 47TH. THAT MEANS 146 CLASSES HAVE COME BEFORE YOU. 146 CLASSES OF OFFICERS THAT HAVE WORKED AND SOME CONTINUE TO WORK IN THIS HONORABLE PROFESSION, WHICH E WITH EACH OF THOSE CLASSES, THE EXPECTATION IS THAT YOU WILL BE BETTER THAN THE CLASS THAT CAME BEFORE YOU. THAT WE AS AN AGENCY AND AS A PROFESSION CONTINUALLY IMPROVE. AND I THINK YOU HEARD THE MAYOR SPEAK ABOUT THAT THIS EVENING, THAT YOU WILL BE BETTER THAN ALL THOSE WHO HAVE COME BEFORE YOU, AND YOU WILL LEAVE A LEGACY AT THIS DEPARTMENT AND WITH THIS CITY. WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE? LET ME TELL YOU, I AM PROUD OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. YOU HAVE PERSEVERED IN AN INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING TRAINING ENVIRONMENT, ENDURING THE GRUELING CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH ACADEMY TRAINING, LONG HOURS OF STUDYING TO ACCOMPLISH THE ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS, THE RIGORS OF PHYSICAL TRAINING, DEFENSIVE TACTICS, DRIVING, TRAINING, FIREARMS PROFICIENCY, DEESCALATION, AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS. IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THAT, WE LIVE IN TIMES OF ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY AND ANXIETY AROUND A VARIETY OF ISSUES. AND WHILE WE HAVE DONE OUR BEST TO MAKE YOU ALL SUCCESSFUL, NOT ALL WHO STARTED THE ACADEMY ARE SITTING HERE TONIGHT. SOME COULD NOT OVERCOME THE ACADEMIC OR PHYSICAL CHALLENGES, AND SOME CAME TO THE REALIZATION THAT THIS JOB WOULD DEMAND MORE THAN THEY COULD GIVE. YOU HAVE BEEN PUSHED MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY TO THE BRINKS OF YOUR LIMITS, AND HERE YOU SIT TODAY TRIUMPHANT IN YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT AND GRADUATION FROM ONE OF THE BEST AND MOST DEMANDING ACADEMIES IN THE NATION. I REMAIN COMMITTED TO BUILDING A CULTURE OF LEADERSHIP IN THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND I WILL REQUIRE EACH OF YOU TO BECOME LEADERS IN THIS PROFESSION. SOME OF YOU WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME FORMAL LEADERS, SERGEANTS, LIEUTENANTS, CHIEFS, AND OTHERS WILL PUT ON THE MANTLE OF INFORMAL LEADER. BUT BOTH PATHS REQUIRE YOU TO DISPLAY LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT [00:45:01] AND LEADERSHIP IN THIS COMMUNITY. WE WILL HELP YOU ONCE AGAIN TO BE SUCCESSFUL, BUT ULTIMATELY JUSTICE IN THIS ACADEMY. IT WILL BE ON EACH OF YOU TO STEP UP IN THIS ROLE AND LEAD. LEARN FROM THOSE WHO WILL TEACH AND MENTOR YOU, STARTING WITH YOUR FIELD TRAINING OFFICERS IN THE COMING MONTHS. AND REMEMBER THAT TO BE AN EFFECTIVE LEADER, YOU MUST FIRST LEARN TO FOLLOW. SO FOLLOW WITH YOUR HEART, WITH A DESIRE TO SERVE AND YOU CANNOT FAIL AS YOU LEAVE HERE TODAY AND BEGIN YOUR CAREER. I CHARGE YOU TO KEEP INTEGRITY, HONOR, AND PROFESSIONALISM, AS WELL AS COMPASSION AT THE CENTER OF ALL YOU DO. POLICE OFFICERS HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF DISCRETION AND WE ASK YOU TO MAKE TOUGH SPLIT SECOND DECISIONS EVERY DAY AS YOU MAKE THEM. MAKE SURE THAT YOU KEEP INTEGRITY AND HONESTY AT THE FOUNDATION OF THAT PROCESS. THESE ARE THE CORNERSTONES OF OUR PROFESSION, AND IF THEY ARE LOST, SO TOO GOES THE TRUST, FAITH, AND RESPECT OF OUR COMMUNITY. FINALLY, I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU ARE STEPPING UP TO DO AN INCREDIBLY TOUGH JOB. I COMMEND YOU FOR BEGINNING AND FOR SOME OF YOU, YOU'RE CONTINUING THIS LIFE OF SERVICE THAT WILL GIVE YOU A GREATER SENSE OF SATISFACTION THAN I CAN POSSIBLY BEGIN TO EXPRESS. YOU ARE EMBARKING ON A JOURNEY IN THE NOBLES OF CAREERS, LIVE AND LEAD WITH COURAGE AND GRACE, AND MAKE ALL OF US THAT ARE GATHERED HERE TODAY PROUD. I KNOW THAT YOU WILL. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU, CHIEF CHA. NOW THE MOMENT THESE CADETS HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARD FOR SO LONG, DEPENDING OF THE AUSTIN POLICE BADGE AND THE OATH OF OFFICE MEMBERS OF THE 1 47 CADET CLASS, IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS, YOU WILL OFFICIALLY BE SWORN IN AS AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS. THE BADGE, WHICH WHICH YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE PRESENTED SHOULD ALWAYS BE WORN WITH COURAGE, RESPECT, AND HUMILITY. YOUR ACTIONS THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER WILL BE A REFLECTION ON THIS BADGE, YOUR CHARACTER, AND OUR DEPARTMENT, WHERE THIS BADGE WITH PRIDE, DEFENDED WITH HONOR, AND ALWAYS SEE IT AS A SYMBOL OF THE SACRED TRUST BETWEEN YOU AND THE COMMUNITY YOU SERVE. I WOULD NOW LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE SERGEANT OF CADET TRAINING, JACOB BAROVSKY. SERGEANT BOROWSKI GRADUATED WITH THE ONE 29TH CADET CLASS IN MARCH OF 2015. HE SERVED AS A PATROL OFFICER AND FIELD TRAINING OFFICER IN SOUTHEAST AUSTIN FOR SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE PROMOTING TO DETECTIVE IN 2020 AS A DETECTIVE. SERGEANT BOROWSKI WAS AN INTEGRAL MEMBER OF THE ROBBERY UNIT, WHICH IN 2021 RECEIVED THE MERITORIOUS UNIT OF THE YEAR AWARD THANKS TO THEIR TEAM EFFORTS IN COMBATING VIOLENT CRIME IN AUSTIN. SERGEANT BOROWSKI PROMOTED TO HIS PRESIDENT RANK IN APRIL OF 2022 AND HAS SINCE SERVED AS A SERGEANT OF CADET TRAINING. SERGEANT BOROWSKI WILL BE ANNOUNCING THE NAMES OF THE CADETS FOR THEIR BADGE PRINT. THANK YOU, COMMANDER LYONS. AS I ANNOUNCE NAMES FOR THE ONE 47TH CADET CLASS, EACH CADET AND THE PERSON SELECTED TO ACCOMPANY THEN WILL COME FORWARD ONTO THE STAGE FOR THE BADGE. PINNING FAMILY MEMBERS CAN START MAKING THEIR WAY TO THIS WALL TO MEET THEIR CADETS. WHILE WE WAIT, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO BE YOUR FIRST SERGEANT AT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT. IT HAS BEEN AMAZING TO BE A PART OF THIS JOURNEY, THIS VERY BEGINNING OF YOUR CAREER. I WISH YOU NOTHING BUT THE BEST OF LUCK, AND IF YOU EVER NEED ANYTHING, YOU ALL KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME. DAY BORN ALVAREZ, YOU'LL BE PINNED BY HIS DAUGHTER, MIRACLE AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, ALICE. [00:50:46] OUR ARIEL BAKER. HE'LL BE PINNED BY HIS GRANDMOTHER, ANNETTE AND COUSIN JP ORCO, WHO IS A LIEUTENANT WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PARENTS, DENISE AND DR. WOODY BAKER, WHO IS A RETIRED COLONEL WITH THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE. KEVIN BATO. HE'LL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, WILLIAM BATO, WHO IS A RETIRED COMMANDER WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, ADRIANA BROTHER BRANDON, GIRLFRIEND RILEY, AND UNCLE STEVE RANDALL BAAN. HE'LL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, NITA REBECCA BUELL. SHE'LL BE PINED BY BY HER FATHER. JOHN BUELL, WHO IS A RETIRED OFFICER WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY HER MOTHER, SHANNON AND SISTER KELSEY. CODY CRUMPLER. HE'LL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, THOMAS ALEX'S CRUZ. YOU'LL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, PEDRO AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, YOLANDA. BROTHER JASON, SISTER DOLLY, AND SONS OLIVER AND JAYDEN. [00:55:26] FERNANDO CRUZ. YOU'LL BE PINNED BY HIS BROTHER, ALEJANDRO AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS STEPMOTHER, MARIA GRANDMOTHER SOCORRO AND CARMEN AND BROTHER CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH EING HOUSE. HE WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER CHARLES AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND, RACHEL. ABIGAIL GARCIA WILL BE PINNED BY HER FATHER MARCOS AND ACCOMPANIED BY HER MOTHER, LILIA SISTER JACQUELINE AND BOYFRIEND KYLE HENRY GUERRA WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, CIA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS BROTHER JEFFREY AND JASER. JACOB HARPER WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, DAVID THOMAS HART. YOU'LL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE MACKENZIE. RANDALL HUGHES WILL BE PINNED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND, SUSAN CHRISTIAN JOHNSON WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, OLIVIA, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS DAUGHTER, HAZEL [01:00:23] TE JOHNSON WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE SIERRA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS DAUGHTER, ROSA LEE. MONICA JUAREZ WILL BE PINNED BY YOUR MENTOR, AUSTIN POLICE, DETECTIVE ANNA JACKSON AND ACCOMPANIED BY HER MOTHER ROSA AND HER SONS, GIOVANNI AND JEREMIAH JEREMIAHS, DANA KAVANAUGH WILL BE PINNED BY HER AUNTS, JENNIFER, CALEB KING. HE WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE BAILEY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PARENTS, JOSEPH AND DEBBIE NOAH LARSON. HE'LL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, CARRIE, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, ERIC KENNETH LEDGER. HE WILL BE PINNED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND MARIAH, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, MANUEL AND SON ETHAN. ROBERT MACKEY, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND, NICOLE ETHAN MARTIN [01:05:10] WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, CHRISTINA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, MICHAEL AND HIS BROTHER, DYLAN GREGORY MOLINE. YOU'LL BE ACCOMPANIED OR PINNED BY HIS FATHER, RICHARD MOLINE, WHO IS A RETIRED FIREFIGHTER ENGINEER WITH LA COUNTY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, KAT, SISTER CATO NIECE, PEYTON AND NEPHEW KILLION. YEAH. MENDOZA WILL BE PINNED BY OFFICER KESSEN CAMPBELL WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND HIS ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, ANNA MARCOS PONE. HE WILL BE PINNED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND LAUREN, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, DANA. GIRLFRIEND'S MOTHER MARIA AND FRIENDS JERRY AND RYAN ELLIOT POE. HE WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FIANCE, KAYLEY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PARENTS, PENNY AND LAUREN, HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW AND FATHER-IN-LAW. COURTNEY AND JIM JACOB RAGSDALE. HE WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, DONALD AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, JA JALIN AND SISTERS TALLY AND TAYLOR. OKAY. YES, NATHANIEL SIMPSON. HE WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, LARRY RILEY [01:10:11] SMITH WILL BE PINNED BY HER PARENTS, MARK AND NANCY, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HER SISTER, JENNY BROTHERS KEATON, TYLER AND KEVIN, AND OFFICER CHAD SMITH WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT. YEAH, MICHELLE WARREN. SHE'LL BE PINNED BY HER MOTHER, KELLY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HER STEPFATHER ROGER. SHE LAMAR WHITFIELD. HE WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, MICHAEL, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS STEPMOTHER, ANGIE JAMES WISE, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS PARENTS, KEVIN AND ANGELINA, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS BROTHER KEVIN. CHIEF CHACON WILL NOW ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE. READY? READY [01:15:01] GO. PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. READY HERE. REPEAT AFTER ME. I STATE YOUR FULL NAME. AYE. AYE. AYE. KEVIN. AYE. TAKE ONE. DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR. DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY AND IMPARTIALLY I WILL FAITHFULLY, IMPARTIALLY, DISCHARGE, AND PERFORM IS CHARGE AND PERFORM ALL DUTIES INCUMBENT UPON ME, ALL DUTIES INCUMBENT UPON ME AS A POLICE OFFICER OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN AS A POLICE OFFICER OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN. ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF MY SKILL AND ABILITY, ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF MY SKILL AND ABILITY, MY ACTIONS WILL ALWAYS BE EXECUTED. MY ACTIONS WILL ALWAYS BE EXECUTED WITHIN THE SPIRIT OF THE CONSTITUTION, WITHIN THE SPIRIT OF THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, THE STATE OF TEXAS, THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN. I FURTHER SOLEMNLY SWEAR. I SWEAR THAT I WILL BE FAITHFUL TO THE DEMANDS FOR TRUTH AND HONESTY. THAT'LL BE FAITHFUL TO THE DEMANDS FOR TRUTH AND HONESTY. AS ESTABLISHED BY MY PROFESSION, ESTABLISHED BY MY PROFESSION AND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, I WILL BE PROFESSIONAL IN ALL REGARDS, I WILL BE PROFESSIONAL OF ALL REGARDS, RESPECT, AND OBEY MY SENIORS IN RANK, RESPECT, AND OBEY MY SENIORS IN RANK AND ENFORCE THE LAW AND DIVORCE THE LAW WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOR, OR DISCRIMINATION, WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOR OR DISCRIMINATION, I WILL DEVOTE MY EFFORTS AND SKILLS. I WILL DEVOTE MY EFFORTS AND SKILLS TO THE HONORABLE PROFESSION OF POLICING, TO THE HONORABLE PROFESSION OF POLICING, AND TO THE SERVICE OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND INDIVIDUALS, THE SERVICE OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS, INDIVIDUALS OF THIS COMMUNITY, THE CITY OF AUSTIN, OF THIS COMMUNITY, THE CITY OF AUSTIN. I WILL ASSIST THOSE IN PERIL OR DISTRESS. I WILL ASSIST THOSE WITH PERIL, DISTRESS, AND IF NECESSARY, LAY DOWN MY LIFE AND NECESSARY LAY DOWN RATHER THAN SWERVE FROM THE PATH OF DUTY, RATHER THAN SWERVE FROM THE PATH OF DUTY. SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME OUT. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I PRESENT THE NEWEST OFFICERS OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF THE TRAINING AND RECRUITING DIVISION AND THE ENTIRE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT FAMILY, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S NEWEST POLICE OFFICERS. IN THE WORDS OF AUBREY GRAHAM, WE'VE STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM. NOW WE'RE HERE . THANKS AGAIN TO ALL THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT HAVE MADE THEIR JOURNEY POSSIBLE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS CONCLUDES TODAY'S CEREMONY. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED IN THE FOYER. OFFICER BUELL AS YOUR LAST OFFICIAL ACT AS CLASS PRESIDENT. WILL YOU PLEASE DISMISS THESE OFFICERS, CITY, DEPARTMENT [01:20:02] RESPECT. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, DRIVE SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. * This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting.