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GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
I'M CHIEF OF STAFF FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND I EXTEND MY THANKS TO EACH OF YOU FOR JOINING ME THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE COMMISSIONING AND CEREMONY OF THE ONE 54TH CADET CLASS OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IT'S AN HONOR FOR ME TO CELEBRATE THIS GRADUATION OF AUSTIN'S NEWEST POLICE OFFICERS WITH ALL OF YOU.
ON JANUARY 20TH, 2020 5 71, MEN AND WOMEN CAME TOGETHER FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS AND COMMUNITIES TO UNDERGO THE TRAINING REQUIRED TO BE AN AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER.
AFTER 32 WEEKS OF RIGOROUS TRAINING, THE ONE 54TH ACADEMY CLASS OF 35 INDIVIDUALS HAVE SUCCEEDED IN THEIR GOAL.
THEY HAVE MET THE DEMANDS OF OUR PHYSICAL, ACADEMIC, AND ETHICAL STANDARDS.
THEY NOW HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF WEARING THE BADGE OF AN AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE STAND AND WELCOME THE GRADUATES OF THE 154TH CADET CLASS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS BY THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, HONOR GUARD AND THE PLAYING OF THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER.
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OH.ALL UNIFORM OFFICERS, PLEASE REMOVE YOUR COVER FOR THE INVOCATION WHICH WILL BE DELIVERED BY A BD CHAPLAIN, PASTOR CARL HARVEY.
FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS SPECIAL OCCASION.
YOU ALLOW THESE GRADUATES TO COME TO THIS POINT AND WE THANK YOU FOR THAT.
WE THANK YOU FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
WE THANK YOU FOR LORD FOR WHAT ALL THEY GONE THROUGH REACH THIS POINT.
WE ASK THEM, FATHER, THAT YOU'LL PROTECT THEM WHILE THEY'RE OUT ON THE STREETS OR WHATEVER JOBS THAT THEY TAKE.
LET YOUR LOVING ARMS BE AROUND THEM LIKE YOU PROTECTED THEM THUS FAR.
THANK YOU, LORD, FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN THEIR LIVES.
BLESS THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR CHILDREN IS KEEP 'EM ALL SAFE.
LORD, I THANK YOU ALSO, FATHER, FOR THE STAFF, CHIEF DAVIS AND HER STAFF, LORD, THAT YOU CONTINUE TO GIVE THEM THE WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE TO LEAD THIS CITY.
OH, BLESS YOUR NAME BECAUSE YOU WORTHY TO BE PRAISED.
THOSE CAME, CAME TO REPRESENT, TO BE HERE WITH THEM, TO SUPPORT THEM IN, IN THE EFFORT THAT THEY'RE DOING RIGHT NOW.
SO BLESS FATHER, HAVE YOUR WAY EACH, EACH PERSON HEART AND MIND.
WE THANK YOU LORD AGAIN FOR THIS SPECIAL OCCASION FOR THESE CANDIDATES.
WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOU AND ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEER CHAPLAINS FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE COMMISSIONING GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR THE 151ST CADET CLASS IS UNDERWAY.
ON BEHALF OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE CHIEF LISA DAVIS, I THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL OCCASION.
I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A SPECIAL THANKS TO PASTOR CASEY BENSON OF BANNOCKBURN CHURCH FOR THE USE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL FACILITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE DISTINGUISHED GUESTS ON STAGE AND IN THE AUDIENCE WHO HAVE JOINED US FOR THIS COMMISSIONING CEREMONY.
PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL THE FINAL INTRODUCTION.
COUNCIL MEMBER PAIGE ELLIS, COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE CHITO VELA, COUNCIL MEMBER MARK UCHIN AND OF COURSE OUR A PD CHAPLAIN.
WE HAVE UNIVERSITY OF CHIEF OF POLICE, MATTHEW GREER FOR E'S ISD, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR. KEVIN FOSTER.
OH, I'M SORRY, HE'S NOT HERE YET.
THAT'S THE EMPTY SEAT RIGHT THERE WE HAVE COMMANDER LEE DAVIS, COMMANDER FOR THE TRAINING ACADEMY AND MARIS HAROLD, OUR CHIEF OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK OUR A PD COMMAND STAFF FOR JOINING US THIS AFTERNOON.
THERE IS ANOTHER GROUP OF IMPORTANT PEOPLE WHO I WISH TO RECOGNIZE AND THAT IS THE STAFF OF OUR RECRUITING AND TRAINING DIVISIONS.
IT IS THROUGH THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS OF THESE OFFICERS, SUPERVISORS, AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
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STAFF THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ASSEMBLE THIS GROUP OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED POLICE CADETS AND TRANSFORM THEM INTO OFFICERS OF THE FINEST POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.WOULD ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE RECRUITING AND TRAINING DIVISIONS PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED? THE MEMBERS OF OUR RECRUITING AND TRAINING DIVISIONS REPRESENT THE BEST OF THE BEST.
THIS IS A CELEBRATION OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF 35 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 REGIMENT IN THE NATION TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE PROVIDED SUPPORT, CARE, AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DURATION OF THE ACADEMY.
WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE AND YOUR ATTENDANCE HERE TODAY.
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 POLICE OFFICERS WOULD ALL ACTIVE AND RETIRED PEACE OFFICERS.
PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED.
EACH OF YOU HAS EARNED A SPECIAL THANKS AND RESPECT FOR YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE AND WE THANK YOU.
FINALLY, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO PAY RESPECT FOR 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.
NOW I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND DEAR FRIEND OF MINE, CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THE E NS ISD SCHOOL DISTRICT CHIEF MATTHEW GREER.
AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO IN 1997, CHIEF GREER LAUNCHED HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
HE BEGAN ON PATROL AND LATER SERVED IN THE US MARSHALS TASK FORCE BEFORE PROMOTING TO DETECTIVE.
IN 2009, HE ADVANCED TO SERGEANT TAKING ON LEADERSHIP ROLES IN ACROSS VARIOUS MULTIPLE DIVISIONS, INCLUDING PATROL, FINANCIAL CRIMES UNIT AND THE TRAINING ACADEMY AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS.
HE PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT IN 2015 AND RETURNED TO PATROL AS A SUPERVISOR IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
COMMAND CHIEF GREER LATER BECAME DIRECTOR OF THE AUSTIN REGIONAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER, THE E ONE OF 80 DH DHS SPONSORED FUSION CENTERS NATIONWIDE WHERE HE SERVED UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT FROM A PD IN 2019.
FOLLOWING HIS RETIREMENT, CHIEF GREER JOINS THE E NS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT AS SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR.
IN MARCH OF 2024, HE BECAME THE DISTRICT'S FIRST CHIEF OF POLICE AND TODAY HE LEADS A TEAM OF TEAM 10 OFFICERS SERVING 10 CAMPUSES, SUPPORTING 7,800 STUDENTS AND 1,100 FACULTY AND STAFF.
IN ADDITION TO ESTABLISHING THE DISTRICT'S FIRST POLICE DEPARTMENT, CHIEF GREER CREATED AND CONTINUES TO CHAIR THE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION AND THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAM.
HE ALSO SERVES CO-CHAIR OF THE 12 THROUGH K ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION AND THREAT ASSESSMENT, HELPING SHAPE SCHOOL SAFETY PRACTICES NATIONWIDE.
PLEASE HELP ME AND JOIN IN WELCOMING CHIEF MATTHEW GREER.
TO THE A PD LEADERSHIP, THE DEDICATED INSTRUCTORS, PROUD FAMILIES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, TO THE GRADUATING CADETS.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF JOINING YOU TODAY.
I STAND BEFORE YOU, NOT ONLY AS A CHIEF OF ANOTHER AGENCY, BUT AS SOMEONE WHO REMEMBERS EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO SIT WHERE YOU'RE SITTING TODAY FULL OF PRIDE, MAYBE A LITTLE NERVOUS AND ABSOLUTELY READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD JUST OVER 28 YEARS AGO, WHICH IS HARD TO EVEN SAY BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY I GRADUATED FROM THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S 89TH CADET CLASS DURING A CEREMONY, MUCH LIKE THIS ONE.
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SINCE THEN, A LOT HAS CHANGED AND YET IN THE WAYS THAT MATTER, MOST NOTHING'S CHANGED AT ALL.YES, YOU HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF IMPROVED EQUIPMENT, BETTER TRAINING, AND MORE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY THAN WE COULD EVER IMAGINE, BUT THE PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE GOOD POLICING REMAIN THE SAME.
THEY'RE SUMMED UP IN THE APDS VISION STATEMENT, IN FACT, TO BE A DEPARTMENT THAT'S TRUSTED AND RESPECTED BY ALL, AND THAT COLLABORATES WITH OUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE AUSTIN THE SAFEST CITY IN AMERICA.
UH, I RECENTLY CAME ACROSS A 1997 ARTICLE FROM THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE, UH, FROM RIGHT AROUND THE TIME OF MY GRADUATION.
IT MENTIONED HOW THE POLICE CHIEF HAD JUST UPDATED OUR MISSION STATEMENT TO EMPHASIZE COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PARTNERSHIP.
THAT WAS TRUE THEN, AND IT'S TRUE NOW.
THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT YOU BUILD WITH THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE WILL ALWAYS BE THE MEASURE OF YOUR SUCCESS.
YOU'VE CHOSEN TO JOIN THE RANKS OF ONE OF THE MOST WELL-TRAINED PROFESSIONAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTRY.
YOU'VE COMPLETED ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING AND TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEYS OF YOUR LIFE.
YOU'VE ENDURED RIGOROUS TRAINING, MADE SACRIFICES AND PROVEN YOURSELVES IN BOTH MIND AND BODY.
YOU'RE NOT JUST A POLICE OFFICER, YOU ARE AN AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER.
THROUGHOUT MY CAREER, I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO MEET AND WORK WITH OFFICERS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT YOUR STATUS AS AN AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER, IT MEANS SOMETHING.
YOU'VE EARNED THE RIGHT TO WEAR THAT UNIFORM, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOU'VE ACCEPTED THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT COMES WITH IT.
MAKE NO MISTAKE, AS THE MOTTO OF MY OWN CADET CLASS DECLARED, THIS IS NOT A JOB.
IT IS A LIFESTYLE ACROSS EVERY AGENCY IN EVERY CITY IN TOWN, THE BADGE MEANS THE SAME THING, SERVICE, INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
IT'S A PROMISE TO ACT WITH HONOR EVEN WHEN NOBODY'S WATCHING TO REMAIN CALM AND CHAOS, FAIR AND CONFLICT AND COURAGEOUS WHEN IT MATTERS MOST.
FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE, I CAN TELL YOU YOUR TRAINING DOESN'T END TODAY.
SOME OF YOUR MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS WILL COME OUT THERE ON THE STREET IN THE SPLIT.
SECOND, DECISIONS THAT ARE GONNA DEFINE WHO YOU ARE, YOU'LL LEARN FROM PARTNERS, SUPERVISORS, THE PUBLIC, AND YES, SOMETIMES FROM YOUR MISTAKES.
AND IF YOU'RE SMART AND HUMBLE, YOU'LL NEVER STOP LEARNING.
TO THE FAMILIES AND LOVED ONE HERE, LOVED ONES HERE, THANK YOU.
YOUR SUPPORT IS THE FOUNDATION.
THESE NEW, NEW OFFICERS WILL STAND ON AS THEY BEGIN THIS NOBLE PROFESSION.
TO THE INSTRUCTORS AND ACADEMY STAFF, THANK YOU FOR SHAPING THESE CADETS INTO OFFICERS THAT WE CAN TRUST, WORK BESIDE AND DEPEND ON.
YOU'VE NOT JUST TAUGHT THEM SKILLS, BUT YOU'VE INSTILLED VALUES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME AND TO THE GRADUATES CONGRATULATIONS.
TODAY, YOU JOIN THOSE WHO PROTECT OTHERS EVEN WHEN IT'S HARD, WHO STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT EVEN WHEN NOBODY'S CHEERING, WHO UNDERSTAND THAT LEADERSHIP ISN'T ABOUT RANK, IT'S ABOUT CHARACTER.
YOU ARE THE FUTURE OF THIS PROFESSION WHETHER YOU WEAR THE PATCH OF THIS AGENCY OR ANOTHER.
REMEMBER, WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, UNITED BY A SHARED MISSION TO SERVE WITH COURAGE, RESPECT, AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT.
I KNOW 25 YEARS IS A LONG TIME FROM NOW, BUT I SHOULD MENTION ALMOST ALL OF MY OFFICERS ARE RETIRED FROM AUSTIN PD.
IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START RECRUITING.
UM, I WANT TO GO OFF SCRIPT AND JUST SAY THAT I HOPE THAT YOU ALL GET TO EXPERIENCE WHAT I DO WHEN I COME BACK TO THIS DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS TO BE IN A ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE THAT ARE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS THAT ARE MY FAMILY.
I HAVEN'T SEEN 'EM IN YEARS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE JUST YESTERDAY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ALONGSIDE YOU.
THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.
ALL RIGHT, NOW THE INTRODUCTION OF OUR CLASS PRESIDENT.
EACH CADET CLASS SELECTS ITS OWN OFFICERS SELECTION.
AS CLASS PRESIDENT IS BOTH AN HONOR AND A SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITY.
THAT IS FOR SURE THE CLASS PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED TO SET AN
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EXAMPLE, PROVIDE LEADERSHIP, AND ACT AS THE CLASS OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE.AS SUCH, THIS SELECTION SYMBOLIZES THE COMPETENCE THE CLASS HAS BESTOWED UPON THIS INDIVIDUAL.
THE ONE 54TH CADET CLASS HAS CHOSEN COLE ELDRIDGE AS THEIR PRESIDENT, CADET ELDRIDGE.
I JUST WANNA SAY BEFORE I BEGIN, CHAPLAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE TOUCH OF GRACE AND DIVINITY THAT YOU BROUGHT TO THIS EVENT.
MY NAME IS COLE ELDRIDGE AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK EVERYBODY FOR COMING.
CHIEF DAVIS, EXECUTIVE STAFF COMMANDERS, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HONORED GUESTS, OUR INSTRUCTORS, FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND OF COURSE MY GRADUATING CLASS OF THE ONE 54TH POLICE ACADEMY.
IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO STAND HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THIS REMARKABLE GROUP OF MEN AND WOMEN, BUT LET'S START WITH THE OBVIOUS.
EIGHT MONTHS OF LONG HOURS, STUDYING WELL INTO THE WEEKENDS, SORE BODIES, OC SPRAY AND ELECTRIC MOMENTS WITH THE TASER, ESPECIALLY FOR STATS
MANY OF OUR CLASSMATES BECAME PARENTS DURING THE ACADEMY.
OTHERS CARED FOR, LOVED ONES BATTLING SERIOUS HEALTH CHALLENGES, SOME THAT ARE HERE TODAY, SOME FACE STRUGGLES AT HOME THAT FEW EVER SAW, AND YET EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM SHOWED UP, FOCUSED, DETERMINED, UNSHAKEN, AND WE WERE THERE FOR EACH OTHER.
EVERY SINGLE STEP OF THAT WAY.
I'VE WATCHED EVERY SINGLE ONE IN MY CLASS STEP UP FOR EACH OTHER AND SACRIFICE FOR EACH OTHER.
THIS CLASS WE CARE, BUT HERE'S THE TRUTH.
THIS WASN'T JUST TRAINING ON AND OFF THE TRAINING CAMPUS.
THESE CHALLENGES WERE A TEST, A TEST OF OUR WILL, OUR DISCIPLINE, AND OUR VALUES.
FROM DAY ONE, WE WERE EXPECTED TO NAME OFF CORE VALUES OF THIS DEPARTMENT AND WHAT THEY MEAN.
INTEGRITY, COURAGE, ACCOUNTABLE, RESPECT, ETHICAL.
ONE VALUE IN PARTICULAR RESONATED WITH OUR CLASS THE MOST INTEGRITY OR THE CORNER CORNERSTONE OF POLICE WORK.
IT BECAME MORE THAN SOMETHING WE JUST SAY AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH DAY.
IT BECAME OUR CLASS MOTTO, BUT WITH A LITTLE TWIST.
YOU SEE, INTEGRITY IS VERY OLD, BUT THE WORD COMES FROM SOMEWHERE.
THE WORD INTEGRITY IS A MARTIAL WORD THAT COMES TO US FROM ANCIENT ROMAN TRADITION.
THE LATIN ROOT OF OUR CLASS, UH, THE LATIN ROOT OF THE WORD AND OUR CLASS MOTTO IS INTEGRITAS.
THE ROMANS USED IT AS A CALL OF READINESS.
SOLDIERS WOULD STRIKE THEIR ARMOR AND SHOUT THE WORD TO DECLARING TO THEIR SUPERIOR CENTURION, THEIR OFFICER, THAT THEY WERE WHOLE UNBROKEN AND PREPARED NOT JUST IN ARMOR, BUT IN SPIRIT AND IN PRINCIPLE, THIS ANCIENT, BUT ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT VALUE IS THE KIND OF STRENGTH WE CARRY FORWARD NOW AND TO THE HEART OF THE LONE STAR STATE, THE CAPITAL OF TEXAS.
ITS CITIZENS DEMAND THAT WE PUT ON OUR ARMOR AND EQUIPMENT EVERY DAY TO PROTECT NOT ONLY OUR CITY AND US FROM PHYSICAL HARM, BUT TO GUARD OUR HEARTS AND OUR PRINCIPLES.
OUR INSTRUCTORS DROVE HOME THIS CONCEPT MANY TIMES THAT ANYBODY CAN WEAR A BADGE, BUT NOT EVERYBODY CAN HONOR WHAT IT MEANS TO OUR INSTRUCTORS, MANY OF WHOM ARE PRESENT TONIGHT AND WILL IMMEDIATELY BE RETURNING TO PATROL THIS VERY EVENING, CONTINUING TO WALK THE WALK THAT THEY WALK EVERY SINGLE DAY AND THAT THEY TAUGHT US TO WALK.
THANK YOU FOR WALKING THAT WALK.
THANK YOU FOR SHAPING US, FOR DEMANDING MORE, AND FOR REMINDING US EVERY SINGLE STEP OF THE WAY THAT THIS CALLING IS ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY, NOT RECOGNITION.
YOU POURED OUT YOUR TIME, ENERGY, AND PATIENCE.
THE ONE 54TH IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE THRIVED UNDER YOUR MENTORSHIP.
TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE ONE 54TH, WE CAME HERE AS INDIVIDUALS.
WE LEAVE AS ONE A FAMILY FORGED BY CHALLENGE AND BOUND BY THE MUD THAT GOT UNDER OUR EYELIDS, DURING THE BURPEES AND THE SWAMP, ANOTHER INSIDE YOU TO OUR FAMILIES.
YOU CARRIED THIS BURDEN WITH US.
YOU ENDURED THE LONG NIGHTS, THE STRESS AND THE SACRIFICES.
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IS YOURS AS MUCH AS IT'S OURS.WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT YOU, BUT AS I LOOK AT THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN AND THE FACES OF MY FAMILY AND MY CLASSMATES' FAMILY, I UNDERSTAND MORE THAN EVER WHAT OUR INSTRUCTORS MEANT WHEN THEY SAID, FIND OUR REASON WHY YOU ARE ALL OUR REASON WHY.
OUR FIRST AWARD FOR THIS AFTERNOON WILL BE PRESENTED BY UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR. KEVIN FOSTER.
FOR THE PAST 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 POLICYMAKER.
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 STUDENTS, STAFF, AND COMMUNITY ON THE DISTRICT'S 114 CAMPUSES AND RELATED FACILITIES.
HE IS ALSO AN ASSOCIATE CHAIR OF THE BLACK STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN.
DR. FOSTER RECEIVED HIS PHD AND INMATE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN AND HIS BA FROM THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY.
HE'S THE PARENT OF TWO YOUNG ADULTS, MALCOLM AND MARLEY.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING DR. KEVIN FOSTER.
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.
THE HUMANITARIAN AWARD WAS ESTABLISHED AND NAMED AFTER RETIRED, A PD LIEUTENANT ERNIE HINKLE TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.
LIEUTENANT HINKLE 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, RECEIVING OVER 200 AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS.
LIEUTENANT HENKEL RETIRED ON NOVEMBER 22ND, UH, 25TH, 1995, AND DEVOTED MORE THAN 35 YEARS OF HIS LIFE TO THE AUSTIN DEPE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
HE 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 HUNDRED AND 54TH CADET CLASS ERNIE HINKLE HUMANITARIAN AWARD RECIPIENT IS OFFICER JARED MO.
OUR NEXT AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE SERGEANT OF THE CADET TRAINING UNIT SERGEANT ANDREA WASHINGTON.
SERGEANT WASHINGTON BEGAN HER CAREER WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT IN 2005 WITH HER FIRST DUTY ASSIGNMENT BEING IN CHARLIE'S SECTOR IN EAST AUSTIN.
IN 2009, SERGEANT WASHINGTON TRANSFERRED TO THE RECRUITING UNIT WHERE SHE SERVED AS A RECRUITING AND 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 IN PATROL SERVICES, INTERNAL
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AFFAIRS, AND WAS SELECTED AS A TRAINING ACADEMY SERGEANT IN AUGUST OF 2023.PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING SERGEANT WASHINGTON.
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 AND 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.
THE CADET WHO BEST REPRESENTS THESE SKILLS FROM THE 154TH CADET CLASS IS CADET ISABELLE PROVOST.
AND NOW IT'S MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
LISA DAVIS, CHIEF DAVIS'S CAREER SPANS MORE THAN THREE DECADES WITH THE CINCINNATI POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHERE SHE SERVED AS ASSISTANT CHIEF AND INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU COMMANDER, WHICH OVERSEES HOMICIDE, MAJOR OFFENDERS, NARCOTICS, AND PERSONAL CRIMES.
CHIEF DAVIS, WHO IS THE SECOND WOMAN, WOO-HOO OF THE IN THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, HENRY TO THANK YOU.
I KNOW TO HOLD THE PERMANENT ROLE OF CHIEF OF POLICE AND HAS SERVED IN MULTIPLE ROLES THROUGHOUT HER CAREER AND HAS SPECIALIZED IN BUILDING COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS USING PROBLEM SOLVING AND EVIDENCE-BASED POLICING TO ADDRESS CRIME AND DISORDER.
CHIEF DAVIS IS PASSIONATE ABOUT COMMUNITY POLICING AND BUILDING POLICE LEGITIMACY THROUGH COMMUNITIES.
CHIEF DAVIS HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL AWARDS FOR HER WORK TO INCLUDE A SUPERIOR ACHIEVEMENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD AND THE AWARD OF VALOR AND HOLDS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM XAVIER UNIVERSITY.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING AUSTIN POLICE CHIEF LISA DAVIS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE FOR THE GRADUATION OF ONE 54TH AS I NAME NEAR MY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THIS CLASS HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR ME.
THIS CLASS IS SPECIAL BECAUSE YOU'RE THE FIRST TO BEGIN AND END YOUR ACADEMY TRAINING.
DURING MY TENURE AS CHIEF OVER THE LAST 32 WEEKS, YOU HAVE ENDURED ONE OF THE MOST RIGOROUS TRAINING PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTRY.
YOU HAVE BEEN TESTED ACADEMICALLY, PHYSICALLY, AND MENTALLY, AND TODAY STANDING HERE IN FRONT OF YOUR FAMILIES, INSTRUCTORS, AND FELLOW OFFICERS, YOU'RE PROOF OF WHAT DISCIPLINE, DETERMINATION AND HEART CAN ACCOMPLISH.
I WANT YOU ALL TO LOOK AROUND THIS ROOM FOR A MOMENT.
IT IS FILLED WITH PEOPLE WHO BELIEVED IN YOU, ENCOURAGED YOU, AND CARRIED YOU THROUGH LONG NIGHTS AND DIFFICULT DAYS.
HOLD ONTO YOUR SUPPORT BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE YOUR FOUNDATION AS YOU STEP INTO THIS NOBLE CALLING CADETS.
BEFORE YOU RECEIVE YOUR BADGES AND TAKE AN OATH OF OFFICE, I WANNA LEAVE YOU WITH THREE THINGS TO CARRY INTO YOUR CAREER.
IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, SOMEONE SPECIAL TO YOU WILL PIN THAT BADGE TO YOUR CHEST.
THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A CEREMONY.
IT IS A REMINDER OF WHY YOU CHOSE THIS PROFESSION.
FOR ME, MY WHY CAME FROM AN EXPERIENCE I HAD THAT I WITNESSED WITH MY UNCLE, AND THIS WAS FROM A HANDY HEAVY HANDED POLICE OFFICER WHO ABUSED THEIR AUTHORITY.
IT CHANGED THE WAY I SAW POLICING, AND IT GAVE ME PURPOSE THAT I'VE CARRIED WITH ME EVERY SINGLE DAY.
YOU TOO HAVE YOUR OWN STORY, YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, AND YOUR OWN REASON.
LET IT GUIDE YOU EVERY SHIFT, EVERY CHALLENGE, AND EVERY DECISION THAT YOU MAKE.
WEAR YOUR BADGE NOT AS A SYMBOL OF AUTHORITY, BUT AS A REMINDER OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO SERVE WITH DIGNITY, COMPASSION, AND INTEGRITY.
SECOND, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
IT IS DEMANDING PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY.
IF YOU DON'T PROTECT YOUR HEALTH, YOU CAN'T PROTECT OTHERS.
YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FELLOW OFFICERS AND YOUR COMMUNITY DEPEND ON YOU SHOWING UP STRONG
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AND WELL MAKE WELLNESS A PRIORITY AND LEAN ON EACH OTHER.POLICING IS A SERIOUS BUSINESS, BUT YOU CANNOT LOSE YOUR HUMANITY IN IT.
AVOID AND SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THOSE WHO AVOID NEGATIVITY AND SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THOSE WHO REMEMBER THEIR PURPOSE.
BRING ENERGY, BE PROBLEM SOLVERS.
BE BE THE KIND OF OFFICER WHO ENGAGES WITH PEOPLE WHO LIFTS OTHERS UP, AND WHO FINDS A WAY TO ENJOY THE PRIVILEGE OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE FAMILIES HERE TODAY.
YOUR SACRIFICES AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT MADE THIS DAY POSSIBLE.
THANK YOU FOR STANDING BEHIND YOUR CADET THROUGH THE LATE NIGHTS, THE HARD WORK, AND THE LONG HOURS.
YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT HAS CARRIED THEM THIS FAR, AND IT'LL CONTINUE TO MATTER IN EVERY SINGLE WAY TO OUR ACADEMY STRUCTURES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT, YOUR MENTORSHIP, AND YOUR TIRELESS WORK.
YOU HAVE POURED EXCELLENCE INTO THESE CADETS, PREPARING THEM FOR THE REALITIES OF THIS PROFESSION.
AS YOUR CHIEF, I WANNA MAKE A PROMISE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES EVERY DAY.
I WILL FIGHT TO ENSURE YOU HAVE THE BEST TRAINING, THE BEST TECHNOLOGY, THE BEST EQUIPMENT, AND THE STRONGEST SUPPORT POSSIBLE.
IF YOU APPROACH THIS CAREER WITH HUMILITY, COURAGE, AND HEART, YOU WILL DISCOVER WHAT I HAVE COME TO KNOW.
THERE IS NO GREATER CALLING AND NO GREATER REWARD THAN SERVING AS A POLICE OFFICER.
SO CARRY YOURSELVES WITH PRIDE, WITH HUMILITY, PROTECT EACH OTHER, PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY, AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THING.
AND I WANNA THANK THE COMMAND AND EXECUTIVE TEAM FOR SUPPORTING ME AND THE CHANGES WE ARE MAKING TO ALLOW THESE INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE WITHIN THE BEST POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTRY.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ONE 54TH, AND WELCOME TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
AND NOW THE MOMENT THESE CADETS HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS FOR SO LONG, THE PINNING OF THE AUSTIN POLICE BADGE AND THE OATH OF OFFICE MEMBERS OF THE 154TH CADET CLASS.
IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS, YOU'LL BE OFFICIALLY SWORN IN AS AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS.
THE BADGE WITH 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, WHICH PRIDE, DEFEND IT WITH HONOR, AND ALWAYS SEE IT AS A SYMBOL OF THE SACRED TRUST BETWEEN YOU AND THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE.
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE CADET TRAINING SERGEANT AGAIN, SERGEANT WASHINGTON, WHO WILL BE CALLING THE NAMES OF THE CADETS FOR THEIR PENDING SERGEANT WASHINGTON.
AS I ANNOUNCED THE NAMES FOR THE 154TH CADET CLASS.
EACH CADET AND THE PERSON SELECTED TO ACCOMPANY THEM WILL COME FORWARD ONTO THE STAGE FOR THE BADGE PENDING.
SO WE'LL GIVE THE FAMILIES A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO GET LINED UP.
THOMAS ALLEN WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER TOM AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, LAURIE.
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PETER BABI WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER CARLY SIMMONS, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS SONS, KLAUS AND OTTO CONNOR.COGHLAN WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, NYPD, DETECTIVE THOMAS COGHLAN AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, NYPD OFFICER, INGRID SIBLINGS, SEAMUS, BRIDGET AND TAYLOR, NIECE ELEANOR AND GRANDFATHER ELOY GRIFFITH COUCH WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER GROS COUCH AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, STEVE AND MOTHER LAURIE.
AMANDA DCIO WILL BE PINNED BY HER PARTNER.
ELDRIDGE WILL BE PINNED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND, DANICA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PARENTS, CHRIS AND JENNIFER AND BROTHER COLIN.
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JACOB GODIN WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, MARIZA.JOSEPH GONZALEZ WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER JOE AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, JOLIE, SISTER RILEY AND GIRLFRIEND ELENA PATRICK G***H WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, JOE AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, JOHN AND MOTHER LISA.
SIR, YOU NICHOLAS HALL WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE EMILY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS SON NICHOLAS JR.
AND VICTOR BLAIR NER WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, BRITTANY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS SONS, TALEN AND ASHTON.
MIA COE WILL BE PINNED BY HER FATHER MAKI AND ACCOMPANIED BY HER MOTHER, LINDA SAMANTHA MILLER WILL BE PINNED BY HER FATHER, RETIRED PFLUGERVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT CHIEF BUTCH MILLER AND ACCOMPANIED BY
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HER MOTHER, DARCY NICHOLAS MOSER WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, EMILY.JARED MO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, JACK AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, LISA AND SIBLINGS BRANDON BRIANNE CHRISTIAN AND BRITTANY JEREMY MOOLA WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, BONNIE AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS BROTHER ADAM AND COUSIN CHRISTOPHER GREGORY PACHECO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, DEBORAH AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, WALLY SISTERS DELILAH AND DEMI AND BROTHER-IN-LAW, ANDREW AND GIRLFRIEND BEATRICE.
DEVIN PEROTTI WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, MANDY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, BILL AND MOTHER SHEILA AND BROTHER NATHAN AND KENDALL.
TRAVIS PALE WILL BE PINNED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND
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KAYLEE AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, HARRY, MOTHER JANELLE, AND BROTHER JONATHAN.KEVIN POTI WILL BE PINNED BY HIS BROTHER, TEXAS STATE TROOPER KYLE POTI.
ISABELLA PROVOST WILL BE PINNED BY HER GRANDFATHER, RETIRED TEXAS STATE TROOPER JULIAN, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HER PARENTS, CYNTHIA AND JARED.
LEON KEROS WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, MURILLO AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, VALERIE AND GIRLFRIEND TAMARA RAPHAEL ROSALES WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, ASH CRUZ SANCHEZ.
JUAN SOLIS WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, MELANIE, THAT'S HIS WIFE.
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HIS WIFE, MELANIETHOMAS STATS WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE ASHLEY AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS SON, SHEPHERD DAUGHTER, TEDDY AND SON JOHN FOX.
YEAH, BLAKE STRICKER WILL BE PINNED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND, NICOLE ANTHONY VERA GARCIA WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE KAREN, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS DAUGHTER LYN.
TEMA WILL BE PINNED BY HIS BROTHER JOSH AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER LAZARO, HIS MOTHER MARITZA, HIS BROTHER ANTHONY AND GIRLFRIEND GABRIELA PIERRE THOMAS WILL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE, ASHTON AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS SON, BLAZE AND FAMILY FRIEND OFFICER WITH THE TAMPA POLICE DEPARTMENT, MICHAEL QUILL.
RICHARD TYSON WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER CRAIG AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE CHRISTINA.
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ENRICO VENDETTI WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, RETIRED AIR FORCE COLONEL ENRICO VENDETTI.GARETH WALSH WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER JOHN AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, KELLY DYLAN WILLIAMS WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, JEFF, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS STEPMOTHER, JAMIE, MOTHER HALEY AND GRANDFATHER ROGER AND GRANDMOTHER DEBORAH.
JOSEPH OLO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, LISA.
CHIEF DAVIS WILL NOW ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE.
[01:10:02]
COME TWO.DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGE AND PERFORM.
PERFORM THAT I WOULD PARTIAL DISCHARGED AND PERFORM ALL THE DUTIES INCUMBENT UPON ME, ALL THE 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.
I ACTIONS WILL ALWAYS BE EXECUTED WITHIN THE SPIRIT OF THE CONSTITUTION, WITHIN THE SPIRIT OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS AND THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I FURTHER SWEAR THAT I'LL BE FAITHFUL TO THE DEMANDS FOR TRUTH AND HONESTY, THAT I'LL BE FAITHFUL TO THE DEMANDS, TRUTH AND HONESTY, AS ESTABLISHED BY MY PROFESSION, AS ESTABLISHED BY MY PROFESSION AND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I'LL BE PROFESSIONAL IN ALL REGARDS.
I'LL BE PROFESSIONAL IN ALL REGARDS, RESPECT, AND OBEY MY SENIORS IN RANK, RESPECT, AND OBEY MY SENIORS IN RANK AND ENFORCE THE LAW, AND ENFORCE THE LAW WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOR, OR DISCRIMINATION.
WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOR DISCRIMINATION.
I WILL DEVOTE MY EFFORTS AND SKILLS.
I'LL DEVOTE MY EFFORTS AND SKILLS TO THE HONORABLE PROFESSION OF POLICING, TO NOT POLICING, AND TO THE SERVICE OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND INDIVIDUALS, AND TO THE SERVICE OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND INDIVIDUALS OF THIS COMMUNITY, THE CITY OF AUSTIN, OF THIS COMMUNITY, OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I WILL ASSIST THOSE IN PERIL OR DISTRESS.
I'LL ASSIST THOSE IN PERIL, DISTRESS, AND IF NECESSARY, AND IF NECESSARY, LAY DOWN MY LIFE.
LAY RATHER THAN SWERVE FROM THE PATH OF DUTY, RATHER THAN SWERVE FROM THE PATH OF DUTY.
ON BEHALF OF THE RECRUITING AND TRAINING STAFFS AND THE ENTIRE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT FAMILY, I WANNA CONGRATULATE AD'S NEWEST POLICE OFFICERS.
THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL OF THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT HAVE MADE THEIR JOURNEY POSSIBLE.
AS ALWAYS, BE VIGILANT, STAY ALERT, STAY SAFE, AND STAY AWESOME.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILIES, TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS CONCLUDES TODAY'S CEREMONY.
REFRESHMENTS, SPONSORED BY THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S COMMUNITY POLICE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WILL BE SERVED IN THE FOYER.
OFFICER ELDRIDGE AS YOUR LAST OFFICIAL ACT AS PRESIDENT OF THE ONE 54TH CADET CLASS, PLEASE DISMISS YOUR OFFICERS, THE DEPARTMENT, THE CORNER POLICE LAW, TO MAKE RIGHT COUNT TO THE COMMUNITY RESPECT.
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WHAT AM I.