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MICHAEL CHANCELLOR AND I'M THE
[APD Cadet Class #152 Graduation Ceremony ]
COMMANDER OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S TRAINING DIVISION.I EXTEND MY THANKS TO EACH OF YOU FOR JOINING ME THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF THE HUNDRED 52ND ACADEMY CLASS OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IT IS AN HONOR FOR ME TO CELEBRATE THE GRADUATION OF AUSTIN'S NEWEST POLICE OFFICERS WITH ALL OF YOU.
ON FEBRUARY 12TH, 2020 4 79, MEN AND WOMEN CAME FROM, CAME TOGETHER FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS AND COMMUNITIES TO UNDERGO THE TRAINING REQUIRED TO BECOME AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS.
AFTER 32 WEEKS OF RIGOROUS TRAINING FOR THE HUNDRED 52ND ACADEMY CLASS, 54 OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE SUCCEEDED IN THEIR GOAL.
THEY HAVE MET OUR DEMANDING PHYSICAL AND RIGOROUS ACADEMIC STANDARDS.
THEY 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 HUNDRED 52ND CADET CLASS.
PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PRESENTATION OF CU BY THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S HONOR GUARD AND THE SINGING OF THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER BY OFFICER TODD GALBRATH.
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O SEE, CAN YOU SEE BY THE TONS EARLY LIGHT WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HELD AT THE TWILIGHT LAST GLEE WHO BROUGHT STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THROUGH THE PARALLEL FIGHT FOR THE ROCK.PARTS WE WATCHED WERE SO, AND THE ROCK CATCH REDS BURSTING AND CAME PRO THROUGH THE NIGHT.
THAT HIGH FLAG WAS STILL THERE.
OH, SAY DOES THAT STARED WITH THE LAND, THE FREE AND THE WHOLE, THE BRAVE ORDER COACH FORWARD.
MARK ALL UNIFORM MEMBERS, PLEASE REMOVE YOUR COVER FOR THE INVOCATION, WHICH WILL BE DELIVERED BY A PD CHAPLAIN JOEL FRANKLIN.
SOVEREIGN GOD, WE SAY THANK YOU.
WE THANK YOU THAT THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE HUNDRED AND 52ND CLASS HEARD YOUR CALL.
NOW, LORD, WE PRAY THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN THEM, STRENGTHEN THEIR FAMILIES, AND STRENGTHEN THOSE LORD THAT ARE LEADING THEM.
WE PRAY THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO BE WITH THOSE THAT PROVIDE THE TRAINING, PROVIDE THE INSIGHT, PROVIDE UH, EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED, LORD, THAT AT THE END OF SHIFT THAT THEY MAY GO HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES.
NOW, LORD, WE PRAY THAT AS THEY GUARD THIS CITY, THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO JUST BLESS THIS CITY AND MAY THEY KNOW, LORD, THAT THIS CITY, THIS COMMUNITY IS FOR THEM.
IT IS IN THE NAME OF JESUS, THE CHRIST WE PRAY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE COMMISSIONING AND GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR THE 150 SECOND CADET CLASS IS UNDERWAY.
READY SEAT JOE FRONT ON BEHALF OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CHIEF OF POLICE, LISA DAVIS, I THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THIS VERY SPECIAL OCCASION.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXTEND A SPECIAL THANKS TO PASTOR CASEY BENSON OF THE BANNOCKBURN CHURCH FOR THE USE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL FACILITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO 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.
COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELAZQUEZ, COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE CHETO VELA, COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN ALTER.
COUNCIL MEMBER MCKENZIE KELLY, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER, JOHN FORTUNE, CHIEF OF POLICE.
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HENDERSON, ASSISTANT CHIEF JEFF GREENWALD, ASSISTANT CHIEF JAMES MASON, ASSISTANT CHIEF GISETTE GASLIN, ASSISTANT CHIEF ERIC MEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF ERIC FITZGERALD, ASSISTANT CHIEF LEE ROGERS, UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARN, BAYLOR ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND FORMER TEXAS RANGER.CHRISTINE NICKS, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR. KEVIN FOSTER AND A PD CHAPLAIN, JOEL FRANKLIN.
ALSO ON THE CROWD I'D RECOGNIZE SOME OF OUR PARTNERS FROM AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WE HAVE CHIEF OF STAFF, ROB BYERS.
AND FROM EMS WE HAVE CHIEF ROBERT LUCR AND CHIEF OF STAFF WES HOPKINS.
THANK Y'ALL FOR JOINING US AND I DO WANT TO MENTION WE'RE STILL TAKING APPLICATIONS.
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO BE A HERO
I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE A PD COMMAND STAFF FOR JOINING US THIS AFTERNOON.
THERE'S ANOTHER IMPORTANT GROUP OF PEOPLE I WISH TO RECOGNIZE AND THAT IS THE STAFF OF THE RECRUITING AND TRAINING DIVISIONS.
IT IS THROUGH THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS OF THESE OFFICERS, SUPERVISORS, AND CIVILIAN SUPPORT STAFF THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ASSEMBLE THIS GROUP OF HIGHLY, HIGHLY QUALIFIED POLICE CADETS AND TRANSFORM THEM INTO OFFICERS IN THE FINEST POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE NATION.
WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE RISE AND REMAIN STANDING FROM THE RECRUITING UNIT, SERGEANT DESTINY SILVA AND SERGEANT TAPER WHITE FROM THE CADET TRAINING UNIT, LIEUTENANT ASHLEY EDWARDS, SERGEANT AN SERGEANT ADRIANA WASHINGTON, CORPORAL ALDO HINOJOSA AND CORPORAL CARTER ROONEY FROM THE L LEARN SKILLS UNIT, LIEUTENANT JASON FERRERA AND CORPORAL BRANDON BRINSON FROM THE ADVANCED EDUCATION UNIT.
LIEUTENANT ERIC BERN SAID, AND SERGEANT TIM PRICE FROM THE EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT UNIT MANAGER ROB MCGRATH, SUPERVISOR BRIANNE EDWARDS AND SUPERVISOR MARY AVERSA.
ALONG WITH THESE SUPERVISORS, WOULD ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE RECRUITING AND TRAINING DIVISIONS PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED? THE MEMBERS OF THE RECRUITING AND TRAINING DIVISIONS REPRESENT THE BEST OF THE BEST.
THIS IS A CELEBRATION OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 54 CADETS SEATED IN FRONT OF ME, AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE THIS DAY POSSIBLE.
THESE CADETS SET THEIR GOALS AND SUCCEEDED IN COMPLETING THE MOST PHYSICALLY INTENSE AND ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS POLICE TRAINING REGIMEN IN THE NATION TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND THE FRIENDS WHO HAVE PROVIDED CARE, SUPPORT, AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DURATION OF THE ACADEMY ACADEMY.
WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR ATTENDANCE HERE TODAY.
LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE AS WELL.
THIS AFTERNOON WE WILL HONOR AUSTIN'S NEWEST POLICE OFFICERS, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AND CURRENTLY SERVE AS PEACE OFFICERS WOULD ALL ACTIVE AND RETIRED PEACE OFFICERS.
EACH OF YOU HAS EARNED OUR THANKS AND RESPECT FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE.
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.
IT IS MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE OUR FIRST SPEAKER, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARN BAYLOR, DR.
NICKS BEGAN HER CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN 1979 AS A PATROL OFFICER WITH THE CITY OF TEMPLE, TEXAS.
NICKS GRADUATED FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AS A STATE TROOPER.
SHE SERVED FIVE AND A HALF YEARS IN THE CITIES OF PASADENA, HOUSTON TEMPLE AND WACO.
NICK SERVED FIVE AND A HALF YEARS AS THE DPS REGION SIX RECRUITER.
IN 1994, SHE WAS PROMOTED INTO THE PRESTIGIOUS TEXAS RANGER DIVISION SERVING BOSQUE FALLS
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AND MC MCLENNAN COUNTIES UNTIL RETIREMENT IN OCTOBER, 2004 AS A TEXAS RANGER.SHE TRAINED AS A FORENSIC HYPNOTIST, COMPOSITE ARTIST AND INTERVIEW INTERROGATOR.
SHE IS A MEMBER AND PAST PRESIDENT OF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF INVESTIGATIVE HYPNOSIS.
IN ADDITION, WHILE SERVING AS A TEXAS RANGER, DR.
NICKS CONDUCTED CLASSES FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND FAMILY VIOLENCE INVESTIGATORS, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, AWARENESS, CRISIS INTERVENTION, HYPNOSIS AND COGNITIVE INTERVIEWS.
NICKS' ACADEMIC JOURNEY IS MARKED BY HER DEDICATION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD.
SHE RECEIVED A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN A COMMISSION AS A US ARMY RESERVE SECOND LIEUTENANT IN 1977.
HER PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE CONTINUED AS SHE ATTAINED THE RANK OF MAJOR WITH 23 YEARS OF RESERVE MILITARY SERVICE DURING WHICH SHE HONED HER LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC SKILLS.
SHE FURTHERED HER EDUCATION WITH A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE MANAGEMENT IN 2004.
IN MAY, 2014, SHE PROUDLY GRADUATED WITH A DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE FROM SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY IN HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS.
NICKS WAS INVITED TO JOIN THE FACULTY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY HARDIN BAYLOR IN BELTON, TEXAS AS THE FULL-TIME CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM PROFESSOR AND COORDINATOR.
NICKS IS UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO OUR STUDENTS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD HAS DRIVEN TO THE PROGRAM SUCCESS.
SHE ATTRIBUTES SUCCESS TO THE STUDENTS AND THEIR SHARED INTEREST IN BUILDING A LEGACY FOR FUTURE MAJORS AND MINORS.
HER RESEARCH INTEREST, WHICH SHE BRINGS TO HER TEACHING INCLUDES SPECIALIZED UNITS WITHIN LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDER, MASS CASUALTY, DISASTER IDENTIFICATION, VICTIMOLOGY EVIDENCE-BASED POLICING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, VETERAN COURTS, AND SPECIAL TOPICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
NICKS HAS ACHIEVED MANY PROFESSIONAL MILESTONES, HER PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT AND TITLE IS MOM TO HER ADULT CHILDREN, NIKKI AND MATTHEW AS A WOMAN OF FAITH.
NICKS IS GUIDING VERSE THAT HAS INSPIRED HER MILITARY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ACADEMIC SERVICES IS ISAIAH SIX, EIGHT.
THEN I HEARD THE VOICE OF THE LORD SAYING, WHOM SHALL I SEND AND WHO WILL GO FOR US? AND I SAID, HERE I AM.
AND ON A SIDE NOTE, I WILL SAY THAT I TOLD DR.
NICKS THAT IF I MADE ANY MISTAKES, I WAS GONNA TELL EVERYONE I WAS UNDER HER HYPNOSIS POWERS.
SO I WILL USE THAT AS MY EXCUSE.
IT'S MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE TODAY AND ALONG THE COMEDY LINE, WOULD CADET HARPER ROLAND, PLEASE STAND ALL Y'ALL.
THIS IS MY STUDENT, ONE OF MY GRADUATES, THAT HE IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I'M HERE TODAY AND ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I GOT MY PHD.
HEATHER HAD HARPER TOLD ME PRIOR TO MONDAY THAT HE WAS GRADUATING FROM THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT ACADEMY.
I WOULD NOT HAVE CALLED HIM OUT, BUT YOU KNOW, AS HIS FORMER PROFESSOR, I GET TO DO THAT.
I WANT TO START BY EXPRESSING MY GRATITUDE FOR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY.
IN 1979, I ENTERED LAW ENFORCEMENT AS A POLICE OFFICER WITH THE CITY OF TEMPLE, TEXAS.
I NEVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD SOMEDAY ADDRESS A GRADUAL RATING CLASS OF THIS CALIBER.
IT CERTAINLY WAS NOT A THOUGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN MY CHIEF DROVE HIMSELF TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM IN THE MIDDLE OF A HEART ATTACK AFTER HE PENNED ON MY BADGE.
IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ACHIEVEMENT.
YOU HAVE CHOSEN A NOBLE AND DEMANDING PATH.
YOUR PRESENCE HERE IS A TESTAMENT TO YOUR DEDICATION AND TO YOUR COURAGE.
YOU'RE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON A TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY THAT WILL SHAPE YOUR CAREER AND THE COMMUNITIES YOU'LL SERVE AND PROTECT.
THE RESPONSIBILITY YOU ARE ABOUT TO ACCEPT IN BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER IS ABOUT NOT JUST ABOUT ENFORCING LAWS, IT'S ABOUT BEING A PROTECTOR, A LEADER, AND OFTEN A SOURCE OF HOPE.
YOU'LL BE STEPPING INTO SITUATIONS WHERE PEOPLE ARE MOST VULNERABLE AND AT THEIR WORST, LOOKING FOR YOU TO HELP GUIDE AND PROVIDE EQUAL TREATMENT.
YOUR ROLE AS PROTECTOR IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE.
YOUR WILL SHAPE HOW YOUR COMMUNITY SEES JUSTICE, SAFETY
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AND COMMUNITY.YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS ROLE IS CRUCIAL.
THE BADGE, YOUR BADGE THAT YOU WEAR IS MORE THAN JUST A SYMBOL OF AUTHORITY.
IT IS A COMMITMENT TO HOLD THE PRINCIPLES OF FAIRNESS, EQUALITY, RESPECT, AND EMPATHY.
IT'S ABOUT KNOWING THAT YOUR ROLE AS MUCH IS AS MUCH ABOUT LISTENING AS IT IS ABOUT ENFORCING THE POWER AND TRUST THAT COME WITH THIS RESPONSIBILITY ARE IMMENSE.
REMEMBER, EVERY TIME YOU WEAR THAT BADGE, YOU CARRY THE HOPES AND TRUST OF YOUR COMMUNITY.
THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING AND REWARDING CAREERS YOU WILL EVER HAVE.
THERE WILL BE LONG HOURS, DIFFICULT CALLS AND SITUATIONS WHERE YOU WILL BE PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY PUSHED TO YOUR LIMITS.
THOSE ARE THE MOMENTS THAT YOU WILL GROW THE MOST.
EVERY OBSTACLE, EVERY DIFFICULT CULT SITUATION IS A CHANCE FOR YOU TO PROVE YOUR RESILIENCE, YOUR CHARACTER, AND YOUR RESOLVE.
YOU WILL NOT ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT AND THAT'S OKAY.
WHAT MATTERS IS THAT YOU LEARN, GROW, AND CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR EX EXCELLENCE.
MISTAKES WILL HAPPEN, BUT INTEGRITY MEANS OWNING UP TO THEM, LEARNING FROM THEM, AND DOING BETTER THE NEXT TIME.
I TELL MY STUDENTS THAT I WAS GOOD AT WHAT I DID AT MY JOB AND AS A PROFESSOR BECAUSE I LEARNED FROM MY MISTAKES AND MY SUPERVISORS CAN TELL YOU THAT I MADE A LOT OF MISTAKES.
SO I WAS REALLY GOOD AT WHAT I DID.
REGARDING COMMUNITY AND COMPASSION, YOU ARE NOT JUST ENFORCERS OF LAW, BUT GUARDIANS OF YOUR COMMUNITY.
BUILDING TRUST WITH PEOPLE YOU SERVE WILL BE ONE OF YOUR MOST ESSENTIAL TASKS.
EVERY INTERACTION IS A CHANCE TO STRENGTHEN THAT TRUST.
REMEMBER, THE SMALL EVERYDAY ACTS OF KINDNESS OFTEN LEAVE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACT.
A SMILE, A LISTENING EAR, AND A REASSURING WORD CAN GO A LONG WAY AND BUILDING BRIDGES AND CREATING SAFER AND MORE COHESIVE COMMUNITIES.
THIS PROMOTES A CARING AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS NOT ONLY YOU BUT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
WHEN PUBLIC TRUST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN FEEL STRAINED, YOUR ACTIONS, FAIRNESS AND INTEGRITY WILL PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN REBUILDING AND MAINTAIN.
MAINTAINING THAT TRUST SHOW PEOPLE THAT BEHIND THAT BADGE IS SOMEONE WHO CARES FOR THEM, RESPECTS THEIR DIGNITY, AND IS WILLING TO STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT.
NEVER FORGET THE REASON FOR THE THIN BLUE LINE ARE THE CITIZENS OF YOUR COMMUNITY.
FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, TEAMWORK, BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD ARE PARAMOUNT.
REMEMBER, YOU'RE NOT ALONE ON THIS JOURNEY.
THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU ARE YOUR SECOND FAMILY.
THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT EACH OTHER LEAN ON ONE ANOTHER DURING TOUGH TIMES AND BR CELEBRATE TOGETHER IN MOMENTS OF TRIUMPH.
THE BOND BETWEEN OFFICERS IS UNIQUE, FORGED IN THE SHARED MISSION TO PROTECT AND SERVE.
YOU'LL FACE DANGERS TOGETHER AND TOGETHER YOU WILL RISE ABOVE THEM, HAVE EACH OTHER'S BACKS ALWAYS.
BUT HERE IS THE BIG HOWEVER, NEVER FORGET THOSE AS ALREADY STATED.
WHO SUPPORTED YOU ON THIS JOURNEY AND WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR FRIENDS.
AND AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AGAIN, THE FAMILY OF FRIENDS AND HAVE Y'ALL STAND.
THAT MEANS STAND DOWN FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
THIS IS WHO HAD YOUR BACK, YOUR SIX BEFORE YOU EVEN STARTED THIS JOURNEY.
YOUR PARTNER, YOUR PARTNERS WILL BECOME YOUR SECOND FAMILY.
BUT DON'T FORGET THE PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE FIRST.
YOUR FAMILY IS FIRST AND FOREMOST ON THIS JOURNEY.
YOUR OATH OF OFFICE IS PURPOSEFUL UNLESS THE OATH HAS CHANGED, YOU PROMISE TO EXERCISE DUE DILIGENCE IN PROTECTING EVERYONE YOU MEET.
REMEMBER WHY YOU CHOSE THIS PATH AS YOU ENTER YOUR NEW ROLES.
WHETHER IT WAS THE DESIRE TO AFFECT CHANGE, A CALLING TO SERVE, OR COMMITMENT TO PROTECT OTHERS.
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HOLD ON TO THAT PURPOSE.LET IT DRIVE YOU ON THE MOST CHALLENGING DAYS.
LET IT REMIND YOU WHY YOU WAKE UP AND WEAR THAT UNIFORM DAILY.
BE STEADFAST IN YOUR ETHICS, PROFESSIONALISM, AND YOUR MORAL COMPASS.
YOU HAVE CHOSEN A PATH THAT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE AND EVERYONE IS NOT BRAVE ENOUGH TO WALK THAT PATH.
STAND TALL OR AS TALL AS YOU CAN, KNOWING THAT YOUR WORK IS CRITICAL TO SOCIETY, TO SOCIETY'S WELLBEING.
YOU ARE THE THIN BLUE LINE BETWEEN ORDER AND CHAOS.
AND THAT COMES WITH HONOR AND RESPONSIBILITY.
AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS ON REACHING THIS MOMENT.
WE NEED LEADERS LIKE YOU IN OUR COMMUNITIES NOW MORE THAN EVER.
GO OUT THERE, LEAD WITH INTEGRITY, SERVE WITH COMPASSION, PROTECT WITH COURAGE.
AS CLOSING, I WANT TO LEAVE WITH YOU A BENEDICTION THAT WAS GIVEN BY ONE OF OUR CHURCH LEADERS AT PARK LAKE DRIVE BAPTIST CHURCH THIS PAST SUNDAY.
MAY THE GOD OF JUSTICE GUIDE YOUR DAILY STEPS SO THAT YOU MAY WALK HUMBLY IN HIS WAYS.
MAY THE SPIRIT OF MERCY FILL YOUR HEARTS WITH COMPASSION SO THAT YOU MAY LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORS AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF.
MAY THE LOVE OF GOD BREAK DOWN EVERY BARRIER SO THAT YOU MAY SEE GOD'S IMAGE AND OTHERS WITHOUT PREJUDICE OR FEAR.
BE THE DEPARTMENT LIVING OUT HIS CALL TO JUSTICE AND MERCY.
WELCOME TO THE FORCE AND WELCOME TO THE FAMILY.
REMEMBER, YOU'RE NEVER ALONE IN THIS MISSION.
STAY SAFE, STAY STRONG, AND SERVE WITH HONOR.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE HONOR OF ADDRESSING THE HUNDRED AND 52ND CADET CLASS OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
UH, MAY YOU HAVE A LONG, SAFE AND FULFILLING CAREERS AHEAD OF YOU.
EACH CADET CLASS SELECTS ITS OWN CLASS.
OFFICERS SELECTION AS CLASS PRESIDENT IS BOTH AN HONOR AND A SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITY.
THE CLASS PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED TO SET AN EXAMPLE, PROVIDE LEADERSHIP, AND ACT AS THE CLASS'S OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE.
AS SUCH, THIS ELECTION SYMBOLIZES THE CONFIDENCE THE CLASS HAS BESTOWED UPON THIS INDIVIDUAL.
THE HUNDRED 52ND CADET CLASS HAS CHOSEN ZACHARY PORTERFIELD AS THEIR PRESIDENT.
ALL RIGHT, LOOSEN UP A LITTLE BIT 'CAUSE I I REALLY NEED Y'ALL TO LAUGH.
OKAY, SO I WANNA TALK ABOUT THE SECOND DAY OF THE ACADEMY.
WHAT I WILL SAY IS, IT WAS, IT WAS INTERESTING.
WE LEARNED A LOT OF LESSONS THAT DAY.
IT STARTED WITH US GOING DOWN TO THE GYM FOR AN INSPECTION.
OUR FIRST INSPECTION, WE WERE GONNA GET OUR GEAR, OUR UNIFORMS, AND OUR GROOMING CHECKED ONE BY ONE BY THE INSTRUCTORS.
SO WE ALL LINE UP, I'M FEELING PRETTY GOOD.
I JUST SHAVED LIKE THE NIGHT BEFORE, SO I'M BABYFACE.
SO THAT WORKED OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
UM, I WAS THE SECOND ALASKA CADET TO BE INSPECTED, SO I GOT TO LISTEN AS THE INSTRUCTORS WENT ONE BY ONE CROSS THE CADETS AND THEY DIDN'T SOUND HAPPY.
THEY, IT DIDN'T SOUND LIKE IT WAS GOING WELL AT ALL.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE IN THE MOVIES WHEN LIKE SOMEONE'S HIDING IN A CLOSET AND THEY CAN HEAR THE MONSTER COMING.
A LOT OF THINGS IN THE ACADEMY ARE LIKE THAT.
IT'S A LITTLE PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN.
INSTRUCTOR COMES UP TO ME, TAKES ONE LOOK.
GREAT, YOU DIDN'T SHAVE TODAY.
BUT I JUST GOTTEN MY UNIFORM OUT THE DRYER THAT MORNING RIGHT WHEN THE BUZZER WENT OFF.
SO THREW IT ON, NO WRINKLES, NO DOG HAIR.
HE LOOKS AT ME, HE SAYS, YOU ARE COVERED IN LINT.
YOU LOOK LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF A CLOTHES DRYER.
AND THEN HE SQUINTS AND HE GETS REAL CLOSE AND HE PICKS SOMETHING OFF MY SHOULDER AND HE SAYS, I WANNA HELP YOU OUT AND GET THIS ROPE OFF OF YOU BEFORE SOMEONE CHOKES ON IT.
AND HE HOLDS IT UP IN MY FACE.
IT WAS AN EYELASH HE FOUND, HE FOUND AN EYELASH ON ME.
SO THEY SEND US OFF TO THE, UH, THE
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LOCKER ROOM AND THEY TELL US, BE BACK IN SEVEN MINUTES.THEY'RE ASKING ME, HOW'D YOU DO? HOW'D YOU DO? ALL IN ALL, I THINK I DID PRETTY GOOD.
UM, YEAH, SO I MEAN IT'S UNREALISTIC.
WE'D HAVE TO GO THROUGH HUNDREDS OF FLINT ROLLERS JUST EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR.
HUNDREDS OF TENS, I'M SORRY, HUNDREDS OF TENS OF BOOT.
YOU EXPECT US TO HUNDREDS OF RAZORS EVERY MORNING.
THAT IS WHAT WE DID FOR THE REST OF THE ACADEMY.
CONSTANTLY WATCHING OUT FOR EACH OTHER.
IF YOU HAD DAN DRIFT, IT WAS JUST DRY SKIN EVERY FIVE MINUTES.
IT'S, BUT WE'VE COME A LONG WAY TODAY.
WE ALL PASSED INSPECTION, NOT A SINGLE EYELASH OUT OF PLACE.
HOPE Y'ALL ARE STILL HAPPY WITH YOUR CHOICE.
OUR FIRST AWARD THIS AFTERNOON WILL BE PRESENTED BY UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR. KEVIN FOSTER.
FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, DR. FOSTER HAS TAUGHT THE HISTORY OF RACE AND POLICING FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE ACADEMY.
HE IS A 30 YEAR VETERAN EDUCATOR, EDUCATIONAL LEADER AND POLICY MAKER.
HE HAS WORKED IN SCHOOLS IN LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND AUTHORED DOZENS OF ACADEMIC ARTICLES.
HE IS CURRENTLY VICE PRESIDENT OF THE AUSTIN SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES, WHICH INCLUDES AN 85 OFFICER POLICE DEPARTMENT SERVING AND PROTECTING THE STUDENTS, STAFF AND COMMUNITY ON THE DISTRICT'S 114 SCHOOL CAMPUSES AND RELATED FACILITIES.
HE IS ALSO THE ASSOCIATE CHAIR OF THE BLACK STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AUSTIN.
DR. FOSTER RECEIVED HIS PHD AND MA FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN AND HIS BA FROM THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY.
HE IS THE PARENT OF TWO YOUNG ADULTS, MALCOLM AND MARLEY.
PLEASE WELCOME DR. KEVIN FOSTER.
OFFICER PORTERVILLE HAS ME A LITTLE NERVOUS.
OUR FIRST AWARD IS THE HUMANITARIAN AWARD.
EACH CADET CLASS NOMINATES A FELLOW CADET TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD TO HONOR THEM AS THEIR CLASS HUMANITARIAN.
THE HUMANITARIAN AWARD WAS ESTABLISHED AND NAMED AFTER RETIRED, A PD LIEUTENANT ERNIE HENKEL TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.
LIEUTENANT HENKEL WAS THE CLASS PRESIDENT OF THE 23RD CLASS COMMISSIONED ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 1960.
HE SPENT HIS ENTIRE CAREER AS A STREET OFFICER EARNING, 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 HENKEL WAS THE MOST DECORATED POLICE OFFICER IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, RECEIVING 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 HINKLE 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.
LIEUTENANT HINKLE PASSED AWAY ON MARCH 26TH, 2023.
HE REMAINS IN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS AS THE SYMBOL OF WHAT A GREAT OFFICER SHOULD BE.
HONORABLE AND HUMBLE, PRINCIPLED WITH A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE FRAILTY OF THE HUMAN CONDITION.
THE 150 SECOND CADET CLASS ERNIE HINKLE HUMANITARIAN AWARD RECIPIENT IS JOSEPH BANKS.
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SO, I'M GONNA SAY TWO THINGS ON THAT.THE FIRST IS I'VE NEVER SEEN CADET BANKS WITHOUT A SMILE ON HIS FACE.
THAT MAN IS POSITIVE TO THE VERY END.
AND THE SECOND THING I'M GONNA SAY IS, DR. FOSTER NEVER DISAPPOINTS WITH HIS SHOE GAME.
THE FIRST GRADUATION I WENT TO, HE HAD A, UH, CLEAN PAIR OF PUMA ON, AND TODAY HE'S GOT AN IMMACULATE PAIR OF VANS.
SO WE HAD TO HAVE A, A LAST MINUTE FILL IN FOR THE NEXT AWARD THAT WE'RE GONNA PRESENT THE HONOR CADET AWARD.
AND IT DIDN'T TAKE ME LONG TO FIGURE OUT WHO I WAS GONNA ASK TO PRESENT THAT AWARD.
THE CHIEF OF STAFF, ROBIN J HENDERSON, HAS BEEN A STAPLE WITHIN TRAINING AT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR A LONG TIME.
NEARLY 20 YEARS AGO WHEN I SAT IN ONE OF THOSE SEATS, SHE SAT AS AN INSTRUCTOR OVER THERE.
I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN SHE CAME INTO OUR CADET CLASS HALFWAY THROUGH AND I WAS A BUMBLING IDIOT.
22 YEARS OLD, HAPPY GO LUCKY, ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON MY FACE,
AND SHE ASKED ME TO STEP OUTSIDE AS SHE WAS, UH, GETTING AFTER THE CLASS, MOTIVATING US A LITTLE BIT.
I STEPPED OUTSIDE, GRINNING THE EAR TO EAR AND SHE SAID, YOU'VE GOT TO STOP SMILING AT ME WHILE I'M TRYING TO CHEW ON THIS CLASS.
WHEN I WENT BACK OUT TO THE ACADEMY AS A TRAINING INSTRUCTOR, SHE WAS THE SERGEANT OUT THERE.
AND THE WAY SHE WAS ABLE TO INSPIRE CADETS AND OFFICERS AND EVERYONE ELSE IS AMAZING.
UM, AND ON TOP OF THAT, I HAVEN'T HAD TO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR SINCE I STARTED GETTING HUGS FROM HER.
SO WHILE I DON'T HAVE A WRITTEN BIO IN HERE FOR HER, UH, I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE HER, UH, AS SHE COMES, UH, UPON THE END OF A AMAZING CAREER.
UH, WHY ARE YOU CALLING ME OUT LIKE THAT COMMANDER CHANCELLOR
SO OUR LAST AWARD FOR THIS AFTERNOON IS THE HONOR CADET AWARD.
THE HONOR CADET IS SELECTED BY THE TRAINING STAFF AS THE CADET WHO BEST EXEMPLIFIES A COMBINATION OF THE SKILLS QUALITIES THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO THE TRAINING PROGRAM.
THOSE SKILLS AND QUALITIES ARE LEADERSHIP, INTEGRITY, PROFESSIONALISM, INITIATIVE, HARD WORK, DEPENDABILITY, AND OVERALL PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE.
THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
THE CADET WHO BEST REPRESENTS THESE SKILLS FROM THE 152ND CADET CLASS IS CADET CHRISTOPHER LUCAS, COME ON UP.
IT IS NOW MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
CHIEF DAVIS' CAREER SPANS MORE THAN THREE DECADES WITH THE CINCINNATI POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHERE SHE SERVED AS AN ASSISTANT CHIEF IN INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU COMMANDER, WHICH OVERSAW HOMICIDE, MAJOR OFFENDERS, NARCOTICS, AND PERSONAL CRIMES.
DAVIS, WHO IS THE SECOND WOMAN IN AUSTIN'S HISTORY TO HOLD THE PERMANENT CHIEF ROLE, HAS SERVED IN MULTIPLE ROLES THROUGHOUT HER CAREER AND HAS SPECIALIZED IN BUILDING COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS AND USING PROBLEM SOLVING AND EVIDENCE-BASED POLICING TO ADDRESS CRIME AND DISORDER IN CINCINNATI, SHE CREATED A CITYWIDE PROBLEM SOLVING UNIT TRAINED TO ADDRESS CRIME AND DISORDER IN CHRONICALLY VIOLENT LOCATIONS, REDUCING OVERALL CRIME AND INCREASING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR AREA RESIDENTS.
DAVIS IS PASSIONATE ABOUT COMMUNITY POLICING AND
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BUILDING POLICE LEGITIMACY.THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, SHE DEVELOPED A SPECIALIZED UNIT TO ADDRESS POPULA POPULATION VICTIMIZATION THAT INCLUDES THE L-G-B-T-Q COMMUNITY, LATINO AND HISPANIC COMMUNITY, HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS AND HOMELESS YOUTH.
COLLABORATION AND TRUST ARE THE FOUNDATION OF MY APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
DAVIS SAID, I'M HONORED TO BE SELECTED AS AUSTIN'S CHIEF OF POLICE, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO BEGIN BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR OFFICERS, CITY LEADERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS SO WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE AUSTIN IS A SAFE AND WELCOMING PLACE FOR EVERYONE.
DAVIS HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL AWARDS FOR HER WORK, INCLUDING THE SUPERIOR ACHIEVEMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD, AND THE AWARD OF VALOR AND HOLDS A BACHELOR DEGREE FROM XAVIER UNIVERSITY.
NOW, I'M ABOUT TO WELCOME YOU UP HERE, CHIEF DAVIS, BUT THERE'S ONE THING THAT WE'RE ALL WONDERING HERE.
ARE YOU A OH AND TWO UNRANKED, ZERO TIME NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP CINCINNATI BEARCATS FAN? ARE, ARE YOU A NUMBER ONE RANKED FOUR-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TO AN OH LONGHORNS FAN? AND WITH THAT, I WILL WELCOME YOU TO THE PODIUM.
WHAT I LEARNED IS DO NOT MESS WITH THE FOOTBALL QUESTION.
ALL RIGHT, SO GOOD AFTERNOON AGAIN.
I SERVE AS A CHIEF OF POLICE FOR UM, AUSTIN.
AND WE ARE HERE TODAY TO WITNESS AND CELEBRATE SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY.
THESE 4 54 INDIVIDUALS WHO SIT BEFORE YOU HAVE COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO CAREER, PUBLIC SERVICE.
THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO DEDICATE THEIR LIVES TO ENRICHING AND PROTECTING THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
THEY HAVE CHOSEN A PATH OF PURPOSE AND SACRIFICE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.
AND THERE IS NO GREATER CALLING.
MY FATHER WAS A BLUE COLLAR MAN AND HE INSTILLED IN ME A SENSE OF DUTY, HARD WORK AND PASSION FOR HELPING OTHERS.
HE WAS THE GO-TO GUY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND WHEN I GRADUATED FROM THE POLICE ACADEMY, IT WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST DAYS OF MY LIFE.
AND THIS IS PARTLY BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I EVER SAW MY FATHER WEAR A SUIT.
AND SO HE WAS SO PROUD OF ME AND HE'S NO LONGER WITH US, BUT I CAN SEE HIM AMONG THOSE OF YOU HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT YOUR LOVED ONE.
SO, UH, I HAVE WRITTEN DOWN HERE FOR EVERYONE TO STAND.
THAT'S A FAMILY MEMBER, BUT JUST PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND AGAIN IF YOU'RE A MOTHER, FATHER, A SPOUSE OF SOMEONE HERE, FAMILY MEMBER, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT MEANS A GREAT DEAL THAT YOU'RE HERE.
I THINK IT'S IN, IT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE SACRIFICES THAT YOU'VE MADE TO HELP YOUR CADET GET HERE.
UH, IT'S AN INCREDIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENT.
I KNOW, AND THEY KNOW THAT YOUR SUPPORT HAS BEEN CRUCIAL TO THEIR JOURNEY AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE ESSENTIAL AS THEY MOVE FORWARD IN THEIR CAREERS.
OKAY, SO I'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MINUTE TO, UH, RECOGNIZE THE ACADEMY PERSONNEL.
UH, THIS DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT YOU HAVE PROVIDED OUR CADETS TO ENSURE THAT THEY REACH THE FINISH LINE IS COMMENDABLE.
I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT I'VE ALSO BEEN TRAINING AT THE ACADEMY SO I CAN ATTEST TO THE PROFESSIONALISM AND THE FIRST CLASS TRAINING THAT, UM, LOVED ONES ARE RECEIVING.
IT'S ABSOLUTELY FAN FANTASTIC.
SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO TO KEEP OUR OFFICERS AND COMMUNITY SAFE.
AND NOW I WANT TO, UM, PULL EVERYONE'S ATTENTION TO A FEW, UM, INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS CLASS.
SO OUR AUSTIN DEPARTMENT AND OUR LARGER AUSTIN COMMUNITY VALUE VERY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, CULTURES AND PERSPECTIVES.
AND THIS CLASS EMBODIES THOSE VALUES.
SOME OF THE LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN THIS CLASS INCLUDE SPANISH, GERMAN, POLISH, KOREAN, FRENCH, SERBIAN, SWAHILI, AND KIKU.
YOUR BACKGROUNDS AND LANGUAGE SKILLS WILL GO FAR IN HELPING BUILD COMMUNITY TRUST AND DIVERSE IN THOSE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND WILL INCREASE THE SAFETY AND IMPACT OF YOUR FELLOW OFFICERS.
WE ARE EXCITED TO WELCOME YOU ON BOARD BEFORE BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER.
I SERVED IN THE US NAVY NAVY AND I'M PROUD THAT OUR DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY ALSO VALUES SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.
IN THIS CLASS SITS BEFORE YOU 20 US VETERANS.
LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
OUR DEPARTMENT, OUR DEPARTMENT ALSO VALUES EDUCATION.
PURSUING A COLLEGE DEGREE REQUIRES TENACITY AND DEDICATION, AND MANY OF OUR OFFICERS WORK TO EARN DEGREES WHILE RAISING FAMILIES AND SERVING OUR COMMUNITY.
BUT YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS CLASS ALREADY HOLDS 11 BACHELOR'S DEGREES AND FOUR MASTER'S DEGREE DEGREES BEFORE STARTING THEIR FIRST DAY.
AS AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS, THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN YOURSELVES, OUR DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY.
AND THIS CLASS IS NOT ONLY IMPRESSIVE INTELLECTUALLY, THEY'RE ALSO PHYSICALLY IMPRESSIVE.
OUR CLASS REPRESENTS THOSE, UM, WHO PLAYED A WIDE RANGE OF COLLEGE SPORTS, INCLUDING SOCCER, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND CHEERLEADING.
FURTHER, ONE OF OUR CADETS IS AN IFBB PROFESSIONAL BODYBUILDER AND POSING COACH.
AND SO I WANNA ASK YOU IF YOU GUYS CAN SPOT WHO THAT IS BECAUSE THEY'RE PROBABLY FLEXING UNDER
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OUR UNIFORM RIGHT NOW.AND WE ARE PROUD OF YOUR PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CAN'T WAIT TO CELEBRATE YOUR FUTURE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS MEMBERS OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ALL RIGHT, AND TO OUR GRADUATES, I EXTEND MY DEEPEST CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.
YOU HAVE WORKED INCREDIBLY HARD TO GET HERE.
TODAY IS A DAY TO BE PROUD OF, OF WHAT YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED, BUT IT'S ALSO THE BEGINNING OF AN IMPORTANT JOURNEY.
ONE THAT CARRIES PROFOUND RESPONSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES.
EVERY DAY YOU'LL BE ENTRUSTED WITH THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE.
THIS BADGE YOU WEAR IS MORE THAN A SYMBOL OF AUTHORITY.
IT REPRESENTS TRUST, COURAGE, SACRIFICE, JUSTICE, FAIRNESS, AND COMPASSION.
WHEN THE JOB GETS HARD, AND I PROMISE YOU IT WILL, I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER THREE THINGS.
THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN YOU FACE UNIMAGINABLE CHALLENGES AND YOU SEE UNIMAGINABLE THINGS.
WHEN THE WEIGHT OF THIS BADGE FEELS HEAVY.
REMEMBER THE WHY AND WHAT SENT YOU ON THIS PATH.
SECOND, STAY HEALTHY MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.
YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND YOU, INCLUDING YOUR, YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FELLOW OFFICERS DEPEND ON IT.
DO NOT SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO GOSSIP, COMPLAIN OR LOSE THEIR WHY.
TRY TO ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT.
AND FINALLY, I MAKE THIS COMMITMENT TO ALL OF YOU AND TO ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS HERE.
I WILL FIGHT EVERY DAY TO ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE THE BEST TRAINING, TECHNOLOGY, EQUIPMENT, AND WORK ENVIRONMENT TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETY AND WELLBEING.
I ALSO COMMIT TO HELPING OUR COMMUNITY UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES AND COMPLEXITIES OF YOUR ROLES AS LAW ENFORCEMENT.
CONGRATULATIONS 1 52 AND I'LL SEE YOU OUT THERE.
NOW THE MOMENT THESE CADETS HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARD FOR SO LONG, THE PINNING OF THE AUSTIN POLICE BADGE AND THE OATH OF OFFICE MEMBERS OF THE 150 SECOND CADET CLASS.
IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS, YOU WILL OFFICIALLY BE SWORN IN AS AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS.
THE BADGE WITH WHICH YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE PRESENTED SHOULD ALWAYS BE ONE 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 D DEFEND IT WITH HONOR AND ALL, WE SEE IT AS A SYMBOL OF THE SACRED TRUST BETWEEN YOU AND THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE CADET TRAINING SERGEANT ADRIANA WASHINGTON, WHO WILL BE CALLING THE NAMES OF THE CADETS FOR THEIR BADGE PENDING.
SERGEANT WASHINGTON BEGAN HER CAREER WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT IN 2005 WITH THEIR FIRST DUTY ASSIGNMENT BEING CHARLIE SECTOR, WHICH IS EAST AUSTIN WHERE SHE ALSO LIVED IN 2009, SERGEANT WASHINGTON TRANSFERRED TO THE RECRUITING UNIT WHERE SHE SERVED AS A RECRUITER AND AS A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATOR, SERGEANT WASHINGTON PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF DETECTIVE IN DECEMBER OF 2013 AND WAS ASSIGNED TO THE FINANCIAL CRIMES UNIT UNTIL HER PROMOTION TO SERGEANT IN DECEMBER OF 2020.
AS A SERGEANT, SHE HAS WORKED PATROL SERVICES, INTERNAL AFFAIRS AND WAS SELECTED AS THE CADET TRAINING SERGEANT IN AUGUST OF 2023.
SERGEANT WASHINGTON, I AM HONORED TO INTRODUCE YOU GUYS TO THE GRADUATING CLASS OF THE 152ND UH, CADET CLASS HERE AT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
UM, IF ALL OF THE FAMILIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE PENDING AND ACCOMPANY THE UM, NEW OFFICERS, IF YOU GUYS COULD GO MEET WITH YOUR OFFICERS OVER HERE PLEASE.
WE'RE GOING TO INTRODUCE MOSEY JI, WHO'S GONNA BE PINNED BY SERGEANT DEISHA JOHNSON, US ARMY RESERVES AND HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FRIEND DANIELLE.
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AND NEXT WE HAVE ANTHONY ALCA JIMENEZ, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, MARIA CAROL ALGAR PRATO, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HER DAUGHTER EMMY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HER MOTHER, CLAUDIA BROTHER ABRAHAM AND SISTER-IN-LAW.AUTUMN HECTOR ALVARADO WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE JANIE AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS SONS CALEB AND JONAH, KURT ALVARADO WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS DAUGHTER, ELI AND GIRLFRIEND JASMINE AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER LARRY AND MOTHER SANDY JOSHUA ON WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER ILL AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, ME AND BROTHER DAVID.
JOEL ANGUIANO, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER ANNA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS GRANDMOTHER, IRMA.
AUNT CONGRATULATIONS, FABIOLA AND SISTER SELENA
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JOSEF AZI WHO WILL BE PINNED BY STAFF SERGEANT CARL BARTHOLOMEW OF THE US ARMY.JOSEPH BANKS WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER YOLANDA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS STEPDAD, MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER BM, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER MICHAEL AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, KATIE ROSALIE KJA, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HER DAUGHTER, ISABELLE SALVADOR CONTRERAS, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, SALVADOR AND MOTHER MARIA THERESA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND, KAREN BROTHERS BYRON AND KEVIN, SISTER LYDIA SISTER-IN-LAW.
ANDREA NIECES ANAYA, HAZEL AND NEPHEW, KEVIN LADERRICK DIXON, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER NORMAN AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, ANGELA ETHAN DRE, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS SONS, JACOB MASON AND KAI
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DAMIEN ESPINOZA, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY FELLOW CADETS.DANIEL AND JUAN MIO DRAGOVICH, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER TOM AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, DIKA AND SISTER ANYA.
ELVIS GARCIA WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER.
READY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS STEPMOM, BETTY SIBLINGS, IRIS, AIDEN, JONATHAN AND THEO.
JESSE GARZA, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER ADAM AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, KATINA SISTERS MARIAH AND RANDY AND NIECE MARIANA ALEXANDER, GOOD PASTOR WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER THOMAS AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, PEGGY, SISTER ELISA.
SISTER CATHERINE AND HER BOYFRIEND, SCOTT DAYLON HAYNES, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE AUGUSTA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, PETER NICHOLAS HOTCHKISS, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS LONGTIME FRIEND, MATTHEW BENJAMIN
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IRISH, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE THERESA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS DAUGHTER CHELSEA, FATHER SCOTT, MOTHER JUDY, AND BROTHER JACKSON.JACOB JIMENEZ WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND MADELINE AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, ARNOLD MOTHER NORMA.
AND IN-LAWS SAMUEL AND DIANA VICTOR NUIA, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, JANE AND UNCLE JEREMIAH AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS SISTER JENNIFER AND BROTHER RISAS.
THANK CRAWFORD KIRKPATRICK WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER MELINDA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND MADDIE.
CALEB KENNING, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND TRISTAN AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, MARK, MOTHER HEATHER AND UNCLE STEVEN LOGAN LAVERY, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE MARIANA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, BILLY AND STEPFATHER CLINTON AUSTIN LACROSSE WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, MARTHA BRANDON LEE,
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WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, NORMA, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, DEREK, GIRLFRIEND MONA STEPDAD JOSE AND BROTHER BRIAN CHRISTOPHER LUCAS WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FIANCE PAGE AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, ANDY STEPMOM, CARLA AND MOTHER, APRIL GOOD, JONATHAN MARTINEZ, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS DAUGHTER AYA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, DARIEN AND SON GRAYSON.AARON MEDINA WHO WILL BE PINNED BY SPO WILL MAJORS AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, JOYCE.
BROTHER CHRISTIAN GRANDFATHER, NO AND FAMILY MEMBERS, JUANITA, DAVID, JENNIFER, AND KEVIN.
THANK, THANK YOU CHRISTIAN MADANO, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND AND MAURICE, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, CASSANDRA.
DANIEL NEWBERRY, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, NAYA JOSEPH PAULINO, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, AISHA AND HIS NEPHEW LUCA, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER,
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THANK YOU.TIANA PI, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HER MOTHER, PAIGE AND ACCOMPANIED BY HER FATHER JOSEPH AND BROTHER TRAVIS.
THANK ZACHARY PORTERFIELD WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND LILY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PARENTS, JAMES AND ANN, BROTHER JOHN FATHER-IN-LAW.
DANA ALBERTO NAR, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS GRANDFATHER WELLINGTON AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, YASMINA GRANDMOTHER YASMINA AND AUNT ZAMIRA.
ZACHARY READER WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, JIM AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS SON CAMDEN AND HIS GIRLFRIEND BOBBY.
THANK HARPER ROLAND WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER RICKY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, SARAH, FIANCE ANNIKA FATHER-IN-LAW.
DREW MOTHER-IN-LAW, JENNIFER, UNCLE RANDY AND AUNT SANDY JEFFERSON ROY, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, ANITA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND AND ANGELICA,
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KATHERINE RUGAL, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HER FATHER JOHN AND ACCOMPANIED BY HER MOTHER, SANDY AND BROTHER STEVEN DANIEL RUGES, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE ABIGAIL AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, DAVID AND GIRLFRIEND ALICE, JUSTIN SALTER WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, LNE AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, TABITHA SISTER LARIS BROTHERS DARIEN.YES SIR, JAYLEN AND MICHAEL AND HIS SPIRITUAL MENTOR, KENNETH JAYLEN SANDOVAL, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HER MOTHER VALENTINA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HER AUNT LISA AND MONIQUE AGNER SANTIAGO.
VICENTE WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND, GRACIELA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, ALFREDO SANTIAGO, RETIRED BALTIMORE CITY, POLICE LIEUTENANT AND HIS MOTHER, BRENDA VICENTE, RETIRED BALTIMORE CITY.
POLICE OFFICER JOSEPH SANTO, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER PATTY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, TOM AUSTIN SAXTON, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS SISTER DELANEY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND SELENA, HIS MOTHER NICOLE, AND ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF DEREK SMITH WITH THE ALMIRA FIRE DEPARTMENT, DE SHANTE TAYLOR, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER DAVID AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, LILIANA AND BROTHER MICHAEL BENJAMIN
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THRY, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER MARY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS SISTER, OLIVIA AND BROTHER-IN-LAW.IAN JUAN TORRES WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, MYRNA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS COUSIN, SHAYLA LOUIS VELASQUEZ TORRES, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER PABLO AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, BETA WILLIAM WALLACE, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER WILLIAM, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, LORI AND HIS WIFE ABIGAIL.
AMANDA YAKI, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HER FATHER, WES AND MOTHER THERESA.
THANK YOU, SAID BEST FOR LAST.
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TAKE YOUR SEAT.ALL RIGHT, IT'S A MOMENT Y'ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING ON.
CHIEF DAVIS WILL NOW ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE.
ALL RIGHT, CLASS, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR SOMN SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGE AND PERFORM.
PLEASE ALL THE DUTIES IN COMING UP ON ME, ALL THE DUTIES IN COMING ON 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, THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN, THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, THE CITY OF TEXAS, AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I FURTHER SOLEMNLY SWEAR, I FURTHER SOLEMN, SWEAR THAT I WILL BE FAITHFUL TO THE DEMANDS FOR TRUST AND HONESTY.
BE FAITHFUL TO DEMAND, TRUST AND HONESTY AS ESTABLISHED BY MY PROFESSION, AS ESTABLISHED BY MY PROFESSION AND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I WILL BE PROFESSIONAL IN ALL REGARDS.
I'LL BE PROFESSIONAL IN ALL REGARDS, RESPECT, AND OBEY MY SENIORS.
IN RANK, RESPECT, OBEY, EXECUTE IN RANK, AND ENFORCE THE LAW.
AND ENFORCE THE LAW WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOR OR DISCRIMINATION.
WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOR OF DISCRIMINATION, I WILL DEVOTE MY EFFORTS AND SKILLS.
I'LL DEVOTE MY EFFORTS AND SKILLS TO THE HONORABLE PROFESSION OF POLICING, TO THE HONORABLE PROFESSIONAL OF POLICING, AND TO THE SERVICE OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND INDIVIDUALS.
NECESSARY SERVICE OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND INDIVIDUALS OF THIS COMMUNITY, THE CITY OF AUSTIN, OF THIS COMMUNITY, THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I WILL ASSIST THOSE IN PERIL OR DISTRESS.
I'LL ASSIST THOSE IN PERIL, DISTRESS, AND IF NECESSARY, LAY DOWN MY LIFE AND IF NECESSARY THEY NOT MY LIFE, RATHER THAN SWERVE FROM THE PATH OF DUTY, RATHER THAN SWERVE FROM THE PATH OF DUTY.
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ON BEHALF OF THE RECRUITING AND TRAINING STAFFS AND THE ENTIRE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT FAMILY, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE AD'S NEWEST POLICE OFFICERS.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, SPONSORED BY THE A PD CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, WILL BE SERVED IN THE FOYER.
OFFICER PORTERFIELD AS YOUR LAST OFFICIAL ACT AS CLASS PRESIDENT, WILL YOU PLEASE DISMISS THESE OFFICERS AMERICA I CARE.
INTEGRITY, INTEGRITY OF WITHOUT COURAGE, RIGHT? SPECIAL, ACCOUNTABLE.
RESPECT THE COMMUNITY PROFESS.
GOOD AFTERNOON AND SAFE TRAVELS.