[Austin 155th Austin Police Academy Graduation Ceremony]
[00:01:29]
GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
MY NAME IS LAWRENCE LEE DAVIS.
I AM THE COMMANDER OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT TRAINING DIVISION, AND IT IS MY PLEASURE TO EXTEND A VERY WARM WELCOME AND A THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU FOR JOINING ME THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF THE 155TH ACADEMY CLASS OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
YES, IT IS TRULY AN HONOR FOR ME TO CELEBRATE THE GRADUATION OF AUSTIN'S NEWEST POLICE OFFICERS WITH ALL OF YOU.
AND I GOTTA TELL YOU, UM, YOU KNOW, INTO THE FAMILIES, I, I, UM, I'LL, I'LL, I'LL THANK YOU, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS BEING HERE.
I GAVE YOU ONE JOB, GET THEM HERE, AND, AND Y'ALL DID THAT.
AND SO ON MAY 5TH, 2020 5, 63, MEN AND WOMEN CAME TOGETHER FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS AND COMMUNITIES TO UNDERGO THE TRAINING REQUIRED TO BECOME THE AWESOME POLICE OFFICERS.
AND AFTER 32 WEEKS OF RIGOROUS TRAINING FOR THE 155TH CADET CLASS, 38 OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE SUCCEEDED IN THEIR GOAL.
THEY HAVE MET OUR DEMANDING PHYSICAL, ACADEMIC, AND ETHICAL STANDARDS, AND THEY NOW HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WEARING THE BADGE OF AN AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE STAND AND WELCOME THE GRADUATES OF THE 155TH CADET CLASS.
[00:05:13]
PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS BY THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, HONOR GUARD, AND THE PLAYING OF THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER.OKAY, ALL UNIFORM PERSONNEL SAID, OH, ALL UNIFORM MEMBERS, PLEASE REMOVE YOUR COVER FOR THE INVOCATION, WHICH WILL BE DELIVERED BY CHAPLAIN CRAYOLA BURNS.
THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD IS MADE.
WE SHALL ALL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.
HE WHO DWELLS IN THE PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL ABIDE UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY.
LET US ALL GO TO GOD IN PRAYER.
FATHER ALMIGHTY, AS WE PREPARE OUR HEARTS FOR THIS GRADUATION OF THE 155TH CADET CLASS, LET US FIRST GIVE PRAISE FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS FOR THE GIFT, WHICH WAS THE GREATEST GIFT THAT WE COULD HAVE RECEIVED, AND THAT IS THE, WAS THE GIFT OF JESUS CHRIST.
WE ASK YOU, FATHER GOD, TO CONTINUE TO GUIDE US IN THESE DAYS, YOUR GRACE, WITH YOUR MERCY, WITH YOUR PROTECTION, WITH YOUR PROVISIONS, AND WITH MOST OF ALL YOUR LOVE.
WE THANK YOU FOR THESE 38 INDIVIDUALS WHO YOU HAVE INDIVIDUALLY SELECTED TO SERVE THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, ITS CITIZENS AND THOSE COUNTIES SURROUNDING.
[00:10:01]
MAY THEY CONTINUE TO BE TEACHABLE.LORD, MAY THEY UNDERSTAND THE DIVERSITY THAT THEY ARE COMING UP AGAINST AND BE ABLE TO WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH EVERYTHING THAT THEY ENCOUNTER.
MAY THEY RETURN TO THEIR HOMES, FATHER GOD, AND FIND THEM BETTER THAN THEY LEFT THEM.
LORD, BLESS THEM IN THEIR COMING IN AND GOING OUT.
LORD, FATHER GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THE PARENTS AND THE GRANDPARENTS AND ALL THE ROLE MODELS WHO PREPARED THEM FOR THIS DAY, FOR THIS POSITION THAT THEY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE INDIVIDUALS WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO WILL CONTINUE TO STAND BY AND GUIDE THEM THROUGHOUT THE YEARS TO COME.
NOW, BE WITH US IN THIS SERVICE.
LORD, CONTINUE TO GUIDE US AND KEEP US AND WE'LL GIVE YOU ALL THE PRAISE AND THE GLORY IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON JESUS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE COMMISSIONING AND GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR THE 155TH CADET CLASS IS NOW UNDERWAY.
READY SEAT ON BEHALF OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CHIEF LISA DAVIS, I THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY ON THIS VERY SPECIAL OCCASION.
I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO PASTOR GALEN CLARK AND DENISE SOWELL OF THE GREATER MOUNT ZION CHURCH FOR THE USE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL FACILITY.
AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE DISTINGUISHED GUESTS ON STAGE AND IN THE AUDIENCE, UH, WHO HAVE JOINED US FOR THIS COMMISSIONING CEREMONY.
SO PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL THE FINAL INTRODUCTION.
UM, MAYOR KIRK WATSON, CITY MAN, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, JOHN FORTUNE, COUNCIL MEMBER MARK UCHIN, SHERIFF ANTHONY HIPOLITO, PASTOR CRAYOLA BURNS, PASTOR CRE
ROBIN J HENDERSON, ASSISTANT CHIEF ANGIE JONES, ASSISTANT CHIEF SCOTT ASKEW AND OUR DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES, JANET THOMAS.
AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES AND COMMAND STAFF FOR JOINING US TODAY.
UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENCE HERE AND YOUR LEADERSHIP.
AND THERE IS 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 EFFORT OF THESE OFFICERS, SUPERVISORS, SERGEANTS, AND THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ASSEMBLE SUCH A HIGHLY QUALIFIED GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS.
WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO TRANSFORM THESE POLICE CADETS INTO THE FINEST OFFICERS IN THE FINEST POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE NATION.
WOULD ALL OF MEMBERS OF THE RECRUITING AND TRAINING DIVISION PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED? THE MEMBERS OF THE TRAINING AND RECRUITING DIVISION REPRESENTS THE BEST OF THE BEST.
THIS IS A CELEBRATION OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF, OF THE 38 CADETS YOU SEE IN FRONT OF ME.
AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE THIS DAY POSSIBLE.
THESE CADETS SET THEIR GOALS AND HAVE SUCCEEDED IN COMPLETING THE MOST PHYSICALLY INTENSE AND ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS TRAINING REGIMEN IN THE NATION TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE PROVIDED CARE, SUPPORT, AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DURATION OF THE ACADEMY.
WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR ATTENDANCE HERE TODAY.
[00:15:02]
THIS AFTERNOON, 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.SO WOULD ALL ACTIVE AND RETIRED PEACE OFFICERS.
EACH OF YOU HAS EARNED OUR RESPECT FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE.
AND FINALLY, I WANNA PAY RESPECT TO THE 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.
SO PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN THEIR HONOR.
BUT I ALSO WANT WE, THIS WEEK WE LOST ONE OF OUR OWN, UM, CIVILIAN STAFF.
STAFF, ONE OF OUR, UM, ONE OF OUR CO COUNCIL CRISIS COUNSELORS, UM, MS. RALSTON, AND I WOULD ASK YOU TO INCLUDE HER IN OUR PRAYERS AS WELL, INCLUDE THAT MOMENT OF SILENCE.
AND NOW, UM, I'M GONNA INTRODUCE OUR SPEAKER, UH, SHERIFF ANTHONY HAMEL.
UH, HIPOLITO HAS PROUDLY SERVED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR 27 YEARS.
HE BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT ON APRIL 13TH, 1998, AS A MEMBER OF THE 93RD CADET CLASS, GRADUATING ON OCTOBER 23RD, 1998.
DURING HIS TIME WITH AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, HE SERVED IN VARIOUS DIVISIONS INCLUDING PATROL, WALKING, BEAT, BIKE PATROL, MOUNTED PATROL, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE, STREET RESPONSE, INTERNAL AFFAIRS, AND ORGANIZED CRIME WHERE HE ROSE TO THE RANK OF SERGEANT BEFORE RETIRING ON JULY 1ST, 2021.
THAT SAME YEAR, HE JOINED THE HAYES COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AS THE DEPUTY SHERIFF WHERE HE FIRST SERVED IN PATROL BEFORE MOVING TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH, CONTINUING HIS COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE.
AND IN NOVEMBER OF 2024, HE WAS ELECTED SHERIFF OF HAYES COUNTY AND OFFICIALLY TOOK THE OFF THE OFFICE IN JANUARY, 2025.
AS HAYES COUNTY SHERIFF, HE LEADS AN AGENCY OF APPROXIMATELY 500 EMPLOYEES AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, CORRECTIONS, EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS, AND SEVERAL CIVILIAN DIVISIONS.
THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, SHERIFF HIPOLITO HAS DEDICATED HIMSELF TO BUILDING TRUST BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITY, MENTORING YOUNG OFFICERS AND UPHOLDING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONALISM.
HE REMAINS COMMITTED TO FOSTERING TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND COLLABORATION, ENSURING THAT HAYES COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CONTINUES TO SERVE THE PUBLIC WITH INTEGRITY, LEADERSHIP, AND RESPECT.
AND WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE, UH, SHERIFF DIPPOLITO'S FATHER RETIRED AS AN AWESOME POLICE CORPORAL TONY HIPOLITO, UH, WHO SPENT 29 YEARS WITH OUR DEPARTMENT.
SO PLEASE JOIN ME AND GIVE A WARM WELCOME TO SHERIFF ANTHONY HIPOLITO.
THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, ELECTED OFFICIALS, OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THESE GRADUATES EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE HUNDRED 55TH CADET CLASS.
I GOTTA SAY THAT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT IS A VERY, IS A VERY, VERY SPECIAL PLACE TO ME AND MY FAMILY.
MY, MY WIFE PEGGY'S HERE IN THE FRONT ROW.
I'VE BEEN PART OF THE A PD FAMILY SINCE I WAS FOUR YEARS OLD.
SO YOU SEE IN 1979, MY FATHER TONY GRADUATED, I BELIEVE IT WAS THE 59TH CADET CLASS.
AND AT THAT GRADUATION, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND AND TAKE PART IN HIS PINNING, IN HIS BADGE PINNING CEREMONY.
MY FATHER TONY, SERVED NEARLY 30 YEARS WITH THIS DEPARTMENT, AND THAT MOMENT HELPED SHAPE WHO I AM AND WHY I CHOSE THE PATH OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.
I REMEMBER AS A KID RUNNING AROUND THE MAIN, WHICH IS STILL
[00:20:01]
ACTIVE AND GOING, UM, AS A KID, MEETING THE CHIEFS AND THE THE CAPTAINS.SO THIS IS A, A PLACE THAT I HOLD, UH, VERY, VERY DEAR TO MY HEART.
UM, I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT I GRADUATE, THAT I, UH, RETIRED, UM, FROM THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I'M PROUD TO SAY I WAS PART OF THE 93RD CADET CLASS PROTECT AND SERVE BOX IS IN THE HOUSE TODAY.
CRAIG CASSIDY, HE'S A, A CADET CLASS MEMBER, AND THERE'S NOT MANY ACTIVE MEMBERS OF OUR CADET CLASS THAT ARE STILL WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMANDER JAMIE JOBES, UM, HERE TO MY RIGHT.
AND I BELIEVE, UH, DETECTIVE CLIFF JAGER ARE THE ONLY TWO THAT, THAT ARE REMAINING.
I, I, I MAY BE MISTAKEN, BUT AGAIN, UM, STANDING HERE TODAY, BRING BACK, IT BRINGS BACK SO MANY MEMORIES.
WHEN I GRADUATED FROM THE AUSTIN POLICE ACADEMY AS A MEMBER OF THE 93RD CADET CLASS IN 1998, I REMEMBER, I REMEMBER SITTING WHERE YOU SIT NOW FILLING THAT MIX OF EXCITE OF EXCITEMENT, PRIDE, NERVES, AND THE OVERWHELMING SENSE THAT SOMETHING IMPORTANT AND LIFE CHANGING WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN.
I CAN TELL YOU NOW MORE THAN 27 YEARS LATER, YOU'RE STEPPING INTO A PROFESSION THAT WILL CHALLENGE YOU.
IT WILL SHAPE YOU, HUMBLE YOU, BUT IT, IT'LL MAKE YOU STRONGER THAN YOU HAVE EVER IMAGINED.
AT THE HAYES COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WE HAVE ADOPTED A MISSION STATEMENT THAT REFLECTS EXACTLY WHAT I HOPE EACH OF YOU CARRY FORWARD IN YOUR OWN CAREERS.
IT'S SIMPLE, IT'S A SIMPLE MESSAGE, BUT IT'S POWERFUL AND IT CENTERS ON THE SAME VALUES THAT YOU'VE BEEN TAUGHT HERE AT THE AUSTIN POLICE ACADEMY.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT THAT WE ADOPTED THIS YEAR AFTER I TOOK OFFICE IS THIS DEDICATED TO SERVING OUR COMMUNITY WITH INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE.
THOSE WORDS ARE NOT JUST SOMETHING WE PLACE ON THE WALL IN OUR IN OUR OFFICE.
THEY'RE NOT JUST SOMETHING WE PRINT IN A BROCHURE.
THEY GUIDE EVERY SINGLE DECISION WE MAKE.
THEY SHAPE THE CULTURE OF OUR AGENCY AND SET THE STANDARD FOR HOW WE SERVE THE PEOPLE WHO RELY ON US, RELY ON US EVERY SINGLE DAY.
AND I SHARE IT WITH YOU TODAY BECAUSE THESE VALUES, THEY'RE NOT UNIQUE TO JUST HAS COUNTY.
THEY'RE UNIVERSAL TO THE PROFESSION.
WHEN IT'S DONE THE RIGHT WAY, THE HONORABLE WAY, EVERY GENER GENERATION OF OFFICERS FACE UNIQUE CHALLENGES.
I CAME INTO POLICING AT A VERY DIFFERENT TIME, BUT HERE'S THE TRUTH.
WHAT MATTERS THE MOST IN THIS PROFESSION HAS NEVER CHANGED AND WILL NEVER CHANGE.
IT IS PROFESSION ROOTED IN INTEGRITY, STRENGTHENED BY ACCOUNTABILITY, AND CARRIED FORWARD BY AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE.
THESE VALUES ARE NOT, ARE THESE VALUES ARE NOT JUST LESSONS YOU LEARNED IN THE ACADEMY.
THEY'RE VALUES THAT WILL DEFINE YOUR CAREER.
WHEN I JOINED A PD, ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS ONE OF THE, ONE OF THE OFFICERS TOLD ME WAS, YOUR INTEGRITY IS THE MOST VALUABLE THING THAT YOU OWN.
NEVER TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING, NOT FOR CONVENIENCE, NOT PRESSURE.
OVER THE COURSE OF MY CAREER HERE AT A PD, FROM, FROM THE MANY YEARS OF PATROL DAY AND NIGHT AND EVENINGS, WALKING BEAT, BIKE PATROL, MOUNTED PATROL DOWNTOWN, WORKING IN THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE, INTERNAL AFFAIRS, ORGANIZED CRIME, I LEARNED THAT INTEGRITY IS NOT JUST TESTED ON EASY DAYS.
ANYONE CAN ACT WITH INTEGRITY WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING AND EVERYTHING IS CALM.
INTEGRITY IS TESTED AT THREE IN THE MORNING ON A TRAFFIC STOP WITH NO BACKUP.
IT IS TESTED WHEN EMO, WHEN EMOTIONS ARE HIGH, INTENTIONS ARE HIGHER.
IT IS TESTED WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING, EXCEPT THE PERSON STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU, SOMEONE WHO EXPECTS YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU WEAR A BADGE.
INTEGRITY MEANS BEING GROUNDED.
IT MEANS TREATING EVERY PERSON YOU ENCOUNTER, VICTIMS, SUSPECTS, WITNESSES, AND EVEN THOSE WHO MAY BE YELLING AT YOU.
IT MEANS BEING HONEST IN YOUR REPORTS, IN YOUR INTERACTIONS, AND IN YOUR LEADERSHIP.
IT MEANS DOING THE RIGHT THING EVEN WHEN IT COST YOU COMFORT, POPULARITY, OR CONVENIENCE.
AS A SHERIFF TODAY, LEADING AN AGENCY, I RELY ON MY DEPUTIES, MY CORRECTIONS OFFICERS, MY CIVILIAN STAFF.
I RELY ON THEM TO ACT WITH INTEGRITY, TO HAVE INTEGRITY BECAUSE IN, IF YOUR INTEGRITY IS STRONG, EVERYTHING ELSE FALLS INTO PLACE.
ACCOUNTABILITY IS ANOTHER CORE VALUE YOU MUST CARRY
[00:25:01]
WITH YOU EVERY DAY.AND I WANNA MAKE SOMETHING VERY CLEAR.
ACCOUNTABILITY IS NOT ABOUT ADMITTING WRONGDOING ONLY WHEN SOMETHING BECOMES A HEADLINE.
IT IS BEING WILLING TO SAY, I CAN DO BETTER EVEN WHEN NO ONE DEMANDS IT.
IT IS OWNING YOUR DECISIONS, YOUR ACTIONS, AND YOUR IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE.
IT IS UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS BADGE GIVES YOU AUTHORITY, BUT THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE GIVES YOU LEGITIMACY.
DURING MY TIME HERE NOW AT THE HAYES COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, I HAVE LEARNED THAT ACCOUNTABILITY, TRUST IT.
IT, IT'S, I'VE LEARNED THAT ACCOUNTABILITY BUILDS, BUILDS TRUST FASTER THAN ANYTHING ELSE, AND TRUST IS THE VERY FOUNDATION OF EFFECTIVE POLICING.
WITHOUT TRUST, WE CANNOT, WE CANNOT DO OUR JOBS WITH TRUST.
THE COMMUNITY STANDS WITH US, WORKS WITH US, AND THEY BELIEVE IN US.
ACCOUNTABILITY ALSO EXTENDS INWARD.
IT MEANS HOLDING EACH OTHER TO HIGH STANDARDS.
THE BEST OFFICERS I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH WE'RE NOT THE ONES WHO DID EVERYTHING PERFECTLY.
THEY WERE THE ONES WHO LISTENED, LEARNED, ADAPTED, AND GREW.
THEY DID NOT HIDE THE MISTAKES, AND THEY DID NOT LET THEIR PARTNER SLIDE.
WHEN THE, WHEN THE STANDARD WAS NOT MET, THEY HELD EACH OTHER UP BECAUSE THEY KNEW THE MISSION WAS BIGGER THAN ANY ONE OF US.
SITUATIONS WILL STAY WITH YOU LONG AFTER YOUR SHIFT ENDS, BUT COMMITMENT MEANS YOU KEEP GOING.
LET'S TALK ABOUT UNWAVERING COMMITMENT.
YOUR DUTY TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE.
THIS IS A COMMITMENT THAT WILL BE TESTED TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
YOU WILL FACE LONG NIGHTS, EMOTIONALLY DRAINING CALLS AND SITUATIONS THAT WILL STAY WITH YOU LONG AFTER YOUR SHIFT ENDS.
BUT COMMITMENT MEANS YOU KEEP GOING.
YOU SHOW UP, YOU HONOR YOUR TRAINING, YOU SERVE THE COMMUNITY EVEN ON DAYS WHEN THE HEADLINES ARE UNFAIR, WHEN THE FRUSTRATIONS ARE LOUD, AND WHEN YOU QUESTION IF PEOPLE STILL APPRECIATE THE SACRIFICES THAT YOU MAKE, LET ME TELL YOU THIS, YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU.
THEY MAY NOT ALWAYS SAY IT, AND SOMETIMES THEY MAY NOT EVEN HAVE TO SAY IT, BUT THEY RELY ON YOU EVERY SINGLE DAY.
COMMITMENT ALSO MEANS KNOWING WHY YOU CHOSE THIS PROFESSION.
WHEN I LOOK BACK AT MY OWN PATH, STARTING AS AN OFFICER HERE, WORKING MY WAY THROUGH DIFFERENT ASSIGNMENTS, RETIRING AS A SERGEANT, AND THEN BEING ENTRUSTED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SERVING AS A SHERIFF, I'M REMINDED THAT THE HEART OF POLICING HAS NOT CHANGED.
PEOPLE WANT JUSTICE, AND THEY WANT OFFICERS WHO CARE ENOUGH TO GET IT RIGHT.
YOU'RE ENTERING THIS PROFESSION AT AN IMPORTANT TIME.
COMMUNITIES ARE DEMANDING TRANSPARENCY, AND RIGHTFULLY SO, TECHNOLOGY CAPTURES MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.
EXPECTATIONS ON OFFICERS HAVE NEVER BEEN HIGHER.
BUT I BELIEVE THIS, YOU'RE ENTERING THIS CAREER AT A MOMENT OF FULL OPPORTUNITY.
YOU HAVE THE TRAINING, YOU HAVE THE TOOLS AND THE MINDSET TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF MODERN POLICING.
YOU HAVE THE CHANCE THAT YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS, TO COMMUNICATE OPENLY, AND TO SHOW THE PUBLIC THAT INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND COMMITMENT AREN'T JUST SLOGANS.
AND YES, OF COURSE THERE'S GONNA BE DIFFICULT DAYS.
YOU'LL SEE THE WORST OF HUMANITY.
YOU'LL BE ASKED TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT FEW PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THIS ROOM WILL EVER FULLY UNDERSTAND, BUT YOU'LL ALSO EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF THIS PROFESSION.
YOU WILL SAVE LIVES, YOU WILL COMFORT VICTIMS. YOU WILL BRING PEACE TO FAMILIES WHO ARE HURTING.
YOU WILL STOP VIOLENCE BEFORE IT HAPPENS, AND YOU WILL LEAVE A LEGACY OF SERVICE THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED LONG AFTER YOUR CAREER IS OVER.
I WANNA SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE GRADUATES AND THE LOVED ONES THAT ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE THIS CEREMONY IS JUST AS MUCH YOUR MOMENT AT IS AS IT IS THEIRS TO THE SPOUSES, PARENTS, CHILDREN, SIBLINGS, AND CLOSE FRIENDS WHO STOOD BY THESE GRADUATES THROUGHOUT THEIR JOURNEY.
THANK YOU FOR THE PATIENCE YOU SHOWED.
DURING THE LONG ACADEMY DAYS, THE NIGHTS OF STUDYING THE MISSED MILLS, THE TIRED CONVERSATIONS AND THE CONSTANT PRESSURE THEY
[00:30:01]
CARRIED, YOU WERE THE ENCOURAGEMENT THAT KEPT THEM MOVING FORWARD.YOU'LL CONTINUE TO PLAY AN ENORMOUS ROLE IN THEIR CAREERS.
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOT SOMETHING AN OFFICER DOES ALONE.
IT IS SOMETHING THE ENTIRE FAMILY LIVES.
WHEN YOUR OFFICER COMES HOME AFTER A HARD DAY, THEY'RE GONNA LEAN ON YOU.
WHEN THEY PROCESS A DIFFICULT CALL OR A TOUGH MOMENT, YOU'LL BE THE ONE WHO HELPS CARRY THAT WEIGHT.
AND WHEN THEY EXPERIENCE A WIN, A SUCCESS, A LIFE SAVED OR A MOMENT OF PRIDE, YOU'LL BE THE ONES THEY SHARE IT WITH.
MANY OF YOU KNOW THIS ALREADY, BUT FOR SOME OF YOU, THIS WILL BE NEW.
THERE WILL BE LATE NIGHTS WHEN YOU CANNOT SLEEP, UNTIL YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF VELCRO BEING TAKEN OFF FROM THEIR VEST WHERE UNTIL THEIR KEEPERS, THE SOUND OF THE KEEPERS THAT COME OFF THEIR BELT.
THERE WILL BE DAYS WHEN YOUR LOVED ONES SEEM QUIET OR DISTANT BECAUSE THEY ARE REPLAYING A SEEN IN THEIR MIND.
THERE WILL BE HOLIDAYS, BIRTHDAYS, AND WEEKENDS WHERE THEY'RE OUT SERVING SO OTHERS CAN CELEBRATE.
YOUR STRENGTH BECOMES THEIR STRENGTH.
YOUR SUPPORT BECOMES THEIR STABILITY.
YOUR LOVE BECOMES THE ANCHOR THAT KEEPS THEM GROUNDED IN THE VALUES THAT WE ASK THEM TO UPHOLD.
I CAN TELL YOU FROM EXPERIENCE BOTH AS AN OFFICER AND SOMEONE WHO HAS LED OFFICERS, THAT FAMILY IS THE MANY, IS THE REASON MANY OF US ARE ABLE TO STAY IN THIS PROFESSION FOR DECADES.
YOUR ROLE MAY NOT COME WITH A BADGE, BUT IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT.
SO TO EVERY FAMILY MEMBER HERE TODAY, PLEASE KNOW THIS, WE SEE YOU.
WE APPRECIATE YOU, AND WE THANK YOU FOR THE SACRIFICES YOU WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE TO THE GRADUATES.
NEVER FORGET THE PEOPLE WHO STOOD BEHIND YOU.
AND REMEMBER THAT YOUR GREATEST SUCCESSES WILL BE SHARED WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SITTING IN THIS ROOM WITH YOU.
IN CLOSING TO THE HUNDRED 55TH CADET CLASS, YOU HAVE CHOSEN A PATH THAT VERY FEW ARE WILLING TO WALK.
YOU'RE STEPPING INTO PROFESSION THAT DEMANDS COURAGE, COMPASSION, AND RESILIENCE.
CARRY YOUR INTEGRITY LIKE ARMOR.
EMBRACE ACCOUNTABILITY AS YOUR GUIDE AND PROTECT YOUR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE BECAUSE IT WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH EVERY SINGLE CHALLENGE THAT YOU FACE.
AS SOMEONE WHO WALKED THE SAME BEAT, WORE THE SAME PATCH, AND SPENT MORE THAN TWO DECADES SERVING THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I'M VERY, VERY PROUD OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
AS A SHERIFF NOW ENTRUSTED WITH LEADING AN ENTIRE COUNTY, I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH RESPECT I HAVE FOR YOU.
I WANT YOU GUYS TO LEAN ON EACH OTHER.
YOU HAVE BUILT RELATIONSHIPS HERE THAT WILL BECOME SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BONDS OF YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.
THERE WILL BE DAYS AHEAD WHEN ONLY ANOTHER OFFICER WILL TRULY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU CARRY.
LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER, SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER, AND PROTECT ONE ANOTHER.
AND NEVER BE TOO PROUD TO ASK FOR HELP.
BUILD POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY YOU SERVE.
DO NOT WAIT FOR BIG MOMENTS TO MAKE AN IMPACT.
SOMETIMES THE MOST MEANINGFUL ACTS OF POLICING HAPPEN IN THE SMALLEST INTERACTIONS.
A CONVERSATION WITH A TEENAGER WHO NEEDS GUIDANCE.
A REASSURING WORD TO A FRIGHTENED FAMILY, A MOMENT OF PATIENCE THAT TURNS CONFLICT INTO COOPERATION.
THEY SHAPE THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF ALL OF US.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, TAKE PRIDE IN THIS CALLING YOU'RE A PART OF, OF A PROFESSION DEFINED BY COURAGE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.
YOU'LL HELP PEOPLE ON THEIR WORST DAYS AND YOU'LL SAVE LIVES.
YOU'LL RESTORE PEACE WHERE CHAOS TRIES TO TAKE HOLD.
AND YEARS FROM NOW, YOU WILL LOOK BACK ON THIS MOMENT AND REALIZE THAT TODAY WAS THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING GREATER THAN YOU COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED.
SO TO EACH, SO TO EACH OF YOU, GO FORWARD WITH COURAGE, GO FORWARD WITH HUMILITY, GO FORWARD WITH HONOR AND GO FORWARD KNOWING THAT YOU CARRY WITH YOU NOT JUST THE BADGE, BUT THE TRUST OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
WELCOME TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT FAMILY.
SERVE WITH PRIDE, SERVE WITH PURPOSE, AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS UPHOLD THE VALUES THAT BROUGHT YOU TO THIS MOMENT.
[00:35:12]
CLASS 1 55, YOU'RE WITH ME? YES, SIR.EACH CADET CLASS ELECT ITS 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, AND ACT AS A CLASS OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE.
AS SUCH, THIS ELECTION SYMBOLIZES THE CONFIDENCE THE CLASS HAS BESTOWED UPON THIS INDIVIDUAL.
THE 155TH CADET CLASS HAS CHOSEN VICTOR BULLOCK AS THEIR PRESIDENT.
KADA BULLOCK, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MY NAME IS VICTOR BULLICK, AND I HAD THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF BEING THE PRESIDENT OF THE 155TH ACADEMIC CLASS.
I WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE YOUR COMMAND STAFF, OUR INSTRUCTORS, OUR FAMILY, AND OF COURSE, MY FELLOW CADETS.
YOUR SUPPORT, GUIDANCE, AND ENCOURAGEMENT HAVE HURT US ALL TO THIS MOMENT, AND WE ARE ALL TRULY GRATEFUL.
LOOKING BACK AT THE VERY FIRST DAY OF THE ACADEMY, MANY OF US REMEMBER WALKING IN WITH A MIXTURE OF NERVES, EXCITEMENT, AND UNCERTAINTY.
WE DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE WEEKS AHEAD OF US WILL HOLD.
PRIOR TO, THEY WANTED THE ACADEMY.
OUR COMMANDERS STOOD IN FRONT OF OUR CLASS AND GAVE US SOME WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT.
HE SAID, WHEN THE INSTRUCTORS ARE IN YOUR FACE YELLING AT YOU AT THE TOP OF THEIR LUNGS OVER SOME UNAVOIDABLE INFRACTION, WHEN WE HAVE COMMIT, I WANT TO IMAGINE THEM SAYING, I LOVE YOU AND I CARE ABOUT YOU.
WELL, IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR US TO REALIZE HOW OFTEN THEY'LL BE SAYING THOSE WORDS, ESPECIALLY IN FRONT OF A HILL.
WE ALL NEVER FORGET THE INFAMOUS MOUNT MADERA.
BUT OVER TIME, THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WALKED INTO THIS ACADEMY FROM COMPLETE DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS BEGAN TO TRANSFORM INTO A TRUE TEAM.
AND THE PAIN, SWEAT, AND TEARS STARTED TO TAPER AWAY.
OUR CLASS WAS UNIQUE IN THAT HALFWAY THROUGH OUR ACADEMY JOURNEY, WE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE CHANGE IN OUR INSTRUCTORS CADRE.
WE STARTED OFF WITH OFFICER INSTRUCTORS AND FINISHED WITH SERGEANT INSTRUCTORS.
WHEN WE WERE FIRST TOLD THE CHANGE WAS COMING, THERE WAS A REAL SENSE OF FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY.
WE HAVE BUILT BOND, FOUND MENTORS AND LEARNED TO TRUST THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SHAPING US.
THE IDEA OF STARTING OVER WITH NEW INSTRUCTORS WAS INTIMIDATING, BUT THE CHANGE CAME AND THE TRANSITION WAS SMOOTH.
THE SERGEANTS BROUGHT A FRESH PERSPECTIVE, NEW ENERGY, AND DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES THAT STRENGTHENED US EVEN FURTHER.
IN THE END, WE REALIZED HOW FORTUNATE WE WERE TO LEARN FROM BOTH GROUPS AND RECEIVE THE BEST OF EACH HAD TO OFFER.
THROUGHOUT THIS JOURNEY, WE LEARNED MORE THAN LAWS AND PROCEDURES.
WE LEARN DISCIPLINE, ACCOUNTABILITY, CONFIDENCE, AND WHAT IT TRULY MEANS TO STEP INTO THIS ROLE THAT DEMANDS OUR BEST EVERY SINGLE DAY, WE WERE CHALLENGED, HUMBLED, TESTED, AND PREPARED FOR THE CAREER THAT LIES AHEAD OF US.
ALTHOUGH TODAY, OUR TITLE CHANGES FROM GOOD DEATH TO OFFICER, OUR COMMITMENT TO GROWTH DOES NOT END HERE.
AS LEADERS AND PROTECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE WILL LIFT THOSE WHO ARE WEAK AND DEFEND THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.
WE CHOOSE SERVICE ABOVE SELF AND PRAISE THAT RESPONSIBILITY BOTH ON AND OFF DUTY.
PLEASE CUT THAT CLASS, AND WE ARE ALL IN.
OUR FIRST AWARD THIS AFTERNOON WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE 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 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 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 HIS MASTER'S FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, AND HIS BACHELOR'S FROM THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY.
HE IS THE PARENT OF TWO YOUNG ADULTS, MALCOLM AND MARLEY.
PLEASE WELCOME DR. KEVIN FOSTER.
[00:40:07]
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 HENKEL TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEPARTMENT AND 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 HINKLE WAS THE MOST DECORATED POLICE OFFICER IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, RECEIVING OVER 200 AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS.
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 AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
HE OFFICE 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 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 155TH CADET CLASS ERNIE HINKLE HUMANITARIAN AWARD RECIPIENT IS MICHELLE LITSEY.
WHY AM I? THANK YOU, DR. FOSTER.
UM, OUR NEXT AWARD WILL BE GIVEN BY SOMEONE WHO CERTAINLY NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION.
UM, SHE HAS GIVEN NEARLY OR AT THREE DECADES OF SERVICE TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
SHE HAS LED THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT NEARLY EVERY CAPACITY.
AND SO IT IS AN HONOR, UH, AND IT GIVES ME MY, UH, SUCH A PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE OUR CHIEF OF STAFF, ROBIN J HENDERSON.
OH MAN, WHERE AM I AT? RIGHT HERE.
AND SO THIS WILL BE OUR LAST AWARD FOR THE EVENING, WHICH 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, DE DEPEND, DEPENDABILITY AND OVERALL PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE.
THE CADET WHO BEST REPRESENTS THESE SKILLS FROM THE ONE 55TH CADET CLASS IS, HOLD ON.
I KNOW YOU'LL MAKE US, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FRIENDS.
AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND OUR AUSTIN COMMUNITY, VERY PROUD.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR STEPPING UP TO BE THE EVER READY HERO.
AS ALWAYS, BE VIGILANT, INTENSE, UNREMITTING WATCHFULNESS.
STAY ALERT, A STATE OF COLORFUL READINESS, ESPECIALLY IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES
[00:45:02]
AND OR DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.MOST IMPORTANTLY, STAY SAFE, SECURE FROM THREAT, HARM, DANGER OR LOSS.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES, TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILIES, TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.
LET'S GET TO WORK ALL IN HONOR.
CADET FOR THE 155TH CADET CLASS IS ALFONSO CARDONA.
YOU KNOW, I, I BELIEVE IN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MOMENTS, AND YOU'RE GONNA FIND POLICING IS ABOUT MOMENTS.
BUT, UM, WHILE WE HAVE OUR MAYOR HERE, YOU KNOW, I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM HIM.
SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, UH, ESTEEM MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
IT IS MY GREAT HONOR TO INTRODUCE A LEADER WHO EMBODIES DEDICATION, VISION, AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
UH, PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING OUR MAYOR, KIRK WATSON.
MAYOR WATSON, SIR HAS BEEN A STEADFAST RESIDENT OF AUSTIN, BRINGING A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE FROM HIS TIME IN PUBLIC SERVICE.
HIS LEADERSHIP IS MARKED BY A FOCUS ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH.
UNDER HIS GUIDANCE, OUR CITY HAS NAVIGATED CHALLENGES WITH RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION, ALWAYS PRIORITIZING THE WELLBEING OF OUR CITIZENS.
AND SO AS WE GATHER HERE TODAY, LET US RECOGNIZE MAYOR WATSON'S TIRELESS EFFORT TO FOSTER A SAFE AND VIBRANT AUSTIN.
A PLACE WHERE EVERY RESIDENT CAN THRIVE.
HIS COLLABORATIVE APPROACH AND ABILITY TO BUILD BRIDGES ACROSS OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES HAS STRENGTHENED THE FABRIC OF OUR CITY.
SO WITH THAT, PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING OUR MAYOR, KIRK WATSON.
WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT INTRODUCTION.
ISN'T TODAY A GREAT DAY TO BE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS? IT REALLY IS.
AND I WANNA SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 155TH A PD CADET CLASS.
EACH OF YOU DESERVES THE PRIDE THAT I REALLY, REALLY HOPE YOU FEEL.
WE ARE ALL PROUD OF YOU, AND I KNOW I ALSO WANNA SPEAK TO THE FAMILIES AND THE LOVED ONES.
AS HAS BEEN SAID BEFORE, I KNOW YOU FEEL THAT SENSE OF PRIDE, AND WE WANT TO THANK YOU AS WELL.
AS MAYOR, I WANT TO THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF NOT JUST MYSELF, BUT ON BEHALF OF OUR CITY, OUR HOME ON BEHALF OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND THE COMMITMENT THAT YOU'RE MAKING TODAY TO SERVE AND TO PROTECT US.
THANK YOU FOR THE ROLE THAT YOU WILL PLAY IN MAKING SURE THAT AUSTIN IS SAFE.
AND IMPORTANTLY, THAT AUSTINITES FEEL SAFE.
YOU'VE ANSWERED A PRETTY UNIQUE CALL OF SERVICE, ONE THAT'S SPECIAL, AND JUST BY YOUR DECISION, IT PROVES YOU HAVE A SPECIAL CONCERN AND CARING FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
WELL, LET ME SAY, WE CARE ABOUT YOU.
WE RESPECT YOU, AND WE RELY ON YOU.
AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT IS A NATIONAL MODEL FOR POLICING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
THIS IS A CRITICAL TIME FOR AUSTIN AND FOR POLICING.
OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THIS CITY HAS MADE A LOT OF POSITIVE CHANGE ON PUBLIC SAFETY.
WE'VE WORKED HARD TO PASS A MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT THAT OFFERS THE STABILITY AND COMPETITIVE PAY.
A CITY NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN GOOD PEOPLE.
AND THAT CONTRACT, I BELIEVE, DEMONSTRATES THAT WE WANT OUR OFFICERS TO LIVE AND BE UP HERE AND BE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.
AND IMPORTANTLY, WE'VE PROTECTED THAT CONTRACT.
WE'RE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS ON THE FUTURE THAT WE'VE INVESTED IN.
WE HAVE A POLICE CHIEF AND CHIEF LISA DAVIS, WHO HAS A CLEAR VISION ON PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THIS CITY.
I APPRECIATE HER OPENNESS, A WILLINGNESS TO TRY NEW THINGS, AND I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS THAT WE'RE SEEING.
[00:50:01]
IMPROVED 9 1 1 RESPONSE TIMES, AND WE'VE WORKED HARD TOGETHER ON STRENGTHENING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC.THAT WORK WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT OUR OFFICERS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN THE DEPARTMENT, AND THAT YOU WILL BE A PART OF OFFICERS WHO DEEPLY CARE ABOUT PUBLIC TRUST, BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS, WE NEED YOU.
YOU'RE BEGINNING A NEW CAREER.
AND THAT MEANS AUSTIN IS BEGINNING A NEW CHAPTER.
WE ALL, YOU, ME, THE CITY OF AUSTIN, THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE HAS TO CONTINUE TO LEARN, TO EVOLVE AND TO SEEK, TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
WE'RE ALL CAPABLE OF POSITIVE GROWTH, AND WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE SEEKING NEW WAYS TO BECOME THE BEST VERSIONS OF OURSELVES BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT LEADERS DO, AND THAT'S THE KEY ROLE.
YOU PLAY LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THAT'S AN ENORMOUS RESPONSIBILITY AND AN ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITY.
I THINK, IN FACT, I'M COUNTING ON IT, THAT IT'S BE, IT'S ONE THAT YOU ALL EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ARE READY FOR.
NOW, LET'S FACE IT, WE HAVE SOME CHALLENGES IN AUSTIN.
THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT IT, AND THERE WILL ALWAYS BE NAYSAYERS AND KNOW-IT-ALLS WHO SEEM MOTIVATED MORE BY PROBLEM CAUSING THAN PROBLEM SOLVING.
BUT WHAT I'VE EXPERIENCED IN MY DECADE LONG CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE IS THAT BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN ACTUALLY GET THINGS DONE AND WE CAN MAKE CHANGE.
AND GETTING GOOD THINGS DONE AND MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS IS NOW MORE IMPORTANT THAN I BELIEVE IT'S EVER BEEN.
WHEN YOU LEAVE HERE TONIGHT, YOU'LL BECOME A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOURSELF.
YOU'LL BE STEWARDS OF OUR CITIES PUBLIC SAFETY.
YOU WILL BE THE FIRST PERSON SOMEONE MEETS WHEN THEY'RE AT THEIR LOWEST.
YOU'LL BE LEADERS, YOU'LL BE BRIDGE BUILDERS, AND YOU CAN BE HEROES.
YOU WILL BE AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS.
WE'VE PUT A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY ON YOU.
THAT'S BECAUSE WE NEED YOU AND WE KNOW YOU CAN MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE.
I BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL SHOW US ALL THE WAY TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR AUSTIN.
AS I SAID, WE'RE COUNTING ON YOU, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE OUR BACK, SO YOU SHOULD KNOW WE WILL HAVE YOUR BACK.
AND PLEASE, PLEASE BE SAFE AS YOU KEEP AUSTIN SAFE.
IT IS NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE OUR CHIEF OF POLICE, OUR ESTEEMED AUSTIN CHIEF OF POLICE, LISA DAVIS.
CHIEF DAVIS BRINGS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE AND STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY, HAVING DEDICATED NEARLY THREE DECADES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND NOW SERVING OUR COMMUNITY.
HER LEADERSHIP STYLE IS MARKED BY A PROFOUND SENSE OF EMPHASIS ON COLLABORATION, TRANSPARENCY, AND MY FAVORITE THING, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
AS ONLY THE SECOND FEMALE PERMANENT CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, SHE EXEMPLIFIES RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION, STRIVING TO BUILD TRUST AND FOSTER STRONG RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.
CHIEF DAVIS HAS SPEARHEADED NUMEROUS INITIATIVES AIMED AT ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY WHILE PROMOTING A HEALTHY WORKFORCE.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING CHIEF LISA DAVIS, A LEADER WHO EMBODIES OUR VALUES AND IS DEDICATED TO MAKING AUSTIN A SAFER, MORE VIBRANT CITY FOR ALL.
IT'S ALWAYS VERY CHALLENGING TO FOLLOW THE MAYOR.
HE'S SUCH A FANTASTIC SPEAKER.
THANK YOU MAYOR, FOR ALL THOSE REMARKS.
I'M AUSTIN POLICE CHIEF LISA DAVIS.
[00:55:01]
THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.THAT'S A SPECIAL MOMENT AS WE CELEBRATE THIS HUGE MILESTONE FOR THE 155TH CADET CLASS.
TO THE 38 OF YOU HERE, YOU HAVE COMPLETED A RIGOROUS 32 WEEK TRAINING THAT HAS PREPARED YOU WELL.
YOU ARE PHYSICALLY FIT, YOU ARE DISCIPLINED, AND YOU ARE EDUCATED.
BUT NONE OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED ALONE.
I WANT YOU ALL, I KNOW YOU ALL ARE SITTING THERE RIGID RIGHT NOW, BUT I WANT YOU TO TAKE A MOMENT, LOOK AROUND THIS ROOM AND CERTAINLY TO YOUR LEFT, AT YOUR, AT YOUR TRAINING ACADEMY STAFF, AND THEN TO YOUR FAMILY BACK HERE WHO HAVE STOOD BY YOU THROUGH THIS RIGOROUS 32 WEEK PROCESS.
TODAY IS THE DAY THAT YOU HAVE WORKED HARD TO GET TO, AND YOU SHOULD BE PROUD CADETS WHEN THIS JOB BECOMES DIFFICULT, AND I PROMISE YOU IT WILL.
I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER THREE THINGS.
FIRST IN A FEW MINUTES, SOMEONE SPECIAL TO YOU WILL PIN THAT BADGE TO YOUR UNIFORM.
IN THAT MOMENT, I ASKED YOU TO THINK ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU HAVE PUSHED THROUGH TO GET HERE TODAY, AND THE RESPONSIBILITY YOU WILL CARRY TO HONOR THAT BADGE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
AS YOUR CHIEF, I ASK THAT YOU NEVER FORGET THE REASON YOU CHOSE THIS NOBLE, NOBLE PROFESSION.
AND FOR ME, WE TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT WHY IS.
AND MANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD THAT STORY OF, OF MY WHY, BUT IT WAS WHEN MY UNCLE, WHEN I WAS ABOUT NINE YEARS OLD, MY UNCLE WAS THROWN OFF OF A SECOND STORY, UM, UH, STAIRWAY TO, TO HIS, UH, DETRIMENT BY POLICE OFFICERS.
BUT I KNEW IN THAT MOMENT THAT WAS NOT THE WAY THAT POLICE ACTED.
BUT I ALSO KNEW IN THAT MOMENT THAT I WANTED TO SERVE IN SOME WAY.
SO HOLD ONTO YOUR WHY AND REMEMBER IT AND LET IT GUIDE YOU AND KEEP YOU GROUNDED.
I WANT YOU TO SERVE WITH VIGOR, INTEGRITY, AND PROFESSIONALISM AND ENTHUSIASM.
I WANT YOU TO LEAD WITH COMPASSION.
I WANT YOU TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE OUTLOOK EVEN ON THOSE HARD DAYS.
CARRY OUT YOUR DUTIES WITH DIGNITY AND DISCIPLINE.
DON'T BE PROUD OF YOUR AUTHORITY, BUT BE HUMBLED BY IT.
THE RESPONSIBILITY YOU CARRY IS BIGGER THAN ANY ONE OF US.
SECOND, TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH.
STAY AWAY FROM THOSE WHO GOSSIP OR LOSE SIGHT OF THEIR PURPOSE.
INSTEAD, STAY CURIOUS, BE INNOVATIVE.
SEEK SOLUTIONS, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, AND TRULY ENJOY THE WORK THAT YOU DO TO ALL THE LOVED ONES HERE.
YOUR SUPPORT HAS CARRIED YOUR CADET TO THIS MOMENT, AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE ESSENTIAL AS THEY BEGIN THEIR JOURNEY TO EVERY A PD EMPLOYEE WHO HELPED PREPARE THIS CLASS.
YOUR DEDICATION, YOUR COMMITMENT, AND YOUR MENTORSHIP HAVE HELPED ALL 38 CADETS REACH THEIR GOAL TO BE HERE TODAY.
THE TRAINING YOU PROVIDE IS OUTSTANDING AND I'M PROUD OF ALL OF YOU.
YOUR WORK IS NOW COMPLETE AND IT IS UP TO OUR CADETS TO CARRY YOUR LESSONS FORWARD EVERY DAY AS THEY MOVE FORWARD.
IN CLOSING, I WANNA MAKE A COMMITMENT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.
EVERY DAY I'LL WORK TO ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE THE BEST TRAINING, THE BEST TECHNOLOGY, AND THE BEST EQUIPMENT, AND THE SAFEST WORK ENVIRONMENT.
I WILL CONTINUE HELPING OUR COMMUNITY UNDERSTAND BOTH THE CHALLENGES AND THE COMPLEXITIES OF OUR WORK.
BECAUSE WHEN DONE WITH HEART AND INTEGRITY, THE JOURNEY YOU'RE BEGINNING IS ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING PROFESSIONS IN THE WORLD.
DO WHAT IS RIGHT, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.
THE FUTURE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IS IN YOUR HANDS.
THIS WILL BE MY LAST TIME WITH YOU GUYS BEING ABLE TO SAY CLASS 1 55.
ARE YOU WITH ME? SO CLASS 1 55, ARE YOU WITH ME? YES SIR.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS REMEMBER TO LOVE YOUR COMMUNITY WITH ALL YOUR HEART SEASON.
THAT LOVE WITH RADICAL ACCEPTANCE.
THE THE TRUE TEST IF YOU'RE DOING YOUR JOB IS IT SHOULD RESULT IN MORE FREEDOM TO THE PEOPLE.
AND SO THE NOW, THE MOMENT THAT THESE CADETS HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARD FOR SO LONG, THE PINNING OF THE AUSTIN POLICE BADGE AND THE OATH OF OFFICE MEMBERS OF THE 155TH CADET CLASS.
IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS, YOU'LL OFFICIALLY BE 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
[01:00:01]
THIS BADGE ON YOUR CHARACTER AND OUR DEPARTMENT WHERE THE BADGE WITH PRIDE, DEFEND IT WITH HONOR AND ALWAYS SEE IT AS A SYMBOL OF THE SACRED TRUST BETWEEN YOU AND THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE LIEUTENANT LORI MADDON, WHO WILL BE CALLING THE NAMES OF THE CADETS FOR THEIR BADGE PENDING LIEUTENANT MADDON.
AS I ANNOUNCE THE NAMES FOR THE 155TH CADET CLASS.
EACH CADET AND THE PERSON SELECTED TO ACCOMPANY THEM WILL COME, COME FORWARD.
ONTO THE STAGE FOR THE BADGE PINNING AIDEN ANDERSON, BEING PINNED BY AUSTIN POLICE SERGEANT AL ANDERSON AND HIS MOTHER, BEA ANDERSON.
VICTOR BULLOCK, BEING PINNED BY ISABELLA BULLOCK AND ACCOMPANIED BY AMELIA AND JESSE BULLOCK.
ONE MORE, MR. AND MRS. YOU UP.
JESSE BOUTWELL, BEING PANNED BY STEVEN KANG AND ACCOMPANIED.
AND BEING ACCOMPANIED BY DELL BOUTWELL.
[01:05:27]
TYLER BOYD BEING PINNED BY HIS FATHER, MICHAEL BOYD.AND BEING ACCOMPANIED BY MARY JANE BOYD GERAND BRA BEING PANNED BY HIS FATHER, GERT SINGH BRA AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, AMADEEP KUR.
BRANDON BURNS BEING PINNED BY SIDNEY BURNS AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PARENTS, JOHN AND LA DONALDSON, TIMOTHY BREWERY BEING PINNED BY HIS WIFE, AUSTIN BREWERY, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS DAUGHTER, MAVIS BREWERY AND NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT, DETECTIVE JOSEPH LONGA.
KYLE CARLO IS ACCOMPANIED BY, IS BEING PINNED BY NICOLE CARLO, AND ACCOMPANIED BY NICOLE AND MIGUEL CARLO, ALFONSO CARDONA BEING PENNED BY HIS FATHER, GUSTAVO CARDONA, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, VIRGINIA CARDONA DAX CASTRO, BEING PINNED BY DAX CASTRO SENIOR AND ACCOMPANIED BY CARLA CASTRO.
NINA CASTRO, RI CASTRO, AND ASHTON WILLIAMS.
[01:10:42]
YEAH.ASHER CORNELIUS BEING PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, CECILIA CORNELIUS AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, REAGAN, CORNELIUS, DIEGO.
DEANA BEING PINNED BY CARRIE CASTON AND ACCOMPANIED BY KATHY ANA.
JEREMY DURAN BEING PINNED BY GABRIELA DURAN AND ACCOMPANIED BY THE DURAN CHILDREN, ERIC FRALEY, BEING PINNED BY PHOEBE HAVENS AND ACCOMPANIED BY AMBER AND JEFF FREELY.
IAN HALLETT BEING PINNED BY HIS SISTER, SUMMER HALLETT AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE TARYN, HIS SON DESMOND, AND HIS MOTHER, CHERYL HALLETT.
[01:15:08]
JASON HART BEING PINNED BY HIS FATHER, PAUL HART AND ACCOMPANIED BY LISA HART, KEVIN HART AND HELENA HART.SEAN HILL BEING PINNED BY AUDREY ROBINSON, ACCOMPANIED BY GEORGE HILL AND ROBERT JOSEPH.
JACOB HOYLE BEING PINNED BY HIS BROTHER, JOHN HOYLE.
JACOB CLOTS BEING PINNED BY LEO WYNN AND ACCOMPANIED BY ZACHARY CLOTS, HIS BROTHER AND KRISTEN KLOTZ.
HIS MOTHER, SUN KOGEL BEING PINNED BY HIS MOTHER TAN CHOPAN ANOVA AND BEING ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, SANJAYA, OR AND HIS SON, ALAN BORJA.
DION LONZA BEING PINNED BY TIA LANZA AND ACCOMPANIED BY BRANDY MIDDLETON.
SARAH POTS, JIMMY POTTS, TREY LANZA, AND JORDAN POTS.
[01:20:03]
YOU GUYS FILE AIDEN.LET MICHELLE LITSEY BEING PINNED BY HER MOTHER, CARRIE HOLMES, AND ACCOMPANIED BY HER STEPFATHER, CAROL CARL HOLMES.
GABRIEL GIANNIS BEING PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, WHO IS A RETIRED LAPD, SENIOR LEAD OFFICER, HEIDI GIANNIS.
AMBER MATSON BEING PINNED BY HER MOTHER, MARIA ARO AND BEING ACCOMPANIED BY HER FATHER, JUAN ARO AND KIMBERLY MERINGUE, HER SISTER, CHRISTOPHER MANVILLE, BEING PINNED BY AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER CHAD SMITH, AND ACCOMPANIED BY GRACE LEDGE, JOSE MORALES BEING PINNED BY JEANETTE CALDERON AND ACCOMPANIED BY MARGARITO MORALES,
[01:25:22]
JONATHAN ORTEGON BEING PINNED BY AUSTIN POLICE, LIEUTENANT ADAM TORRES, AND ACCOMPANIED BY ANTHONY AND JENNY ORTEGON AND ANGELICA TORRES.BRIAN PAYSON BEING PINNED BY HIS SISTER, LAUREN TI MAXWELL FAM BEING PINNED BY HIS WIFE, ANNA RAMIREZ.
AND BY HIS MOTHER, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, KIM WONG.
TORY PRATHER BEING PINNED BY CLARA PRATHER AND ACCOMPANIED BY DEUCE PRATHER AND SARIAH PRATHER.
DAVID REAGAN, BEING PINNED BY AUSTIN SENIOR POLICE OFFICER, AMANDA TROY.
SILVA PEREZ, BEING PINNED BY HIS FATHER, ENO SILVA, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, TANYA SILVA.
AMANDA HOKE, HIS WIFE, LEAH SILVA, HIS DAUGHTER, AND AMMA SILVA, HIS DAUGHTER.
[01:30:08]
CLARK SMITH, WHO WILL BE PINNED BY AUSTIN POLICE SERGEANT ANDREW CARROLL, AND ACCOMPANIED BY RUTH BULLOCK, RETIRED POLICE OFFICER RUTH BULLOCK.JOHN ESCO, BEING PINNED BY MARING ESCO AND ACCOMPANIED BY JOHN TEDESCO II AND LIZ DE SILVA.
DENNIS TRAN IS BEING PINNED BY JEANETTE DELGADO AND ACCOMPANIED BY DAVID TRAN, MAYA TRAN, DIANA ROSOL AND DRAKE ROSOL.
MARCOS VIVAS IS BEING PINNED BY HIS FATHER, RETIRED WITHIN SOME COUNTY, DEPUTY MARCOS VIVAS SENIOR, AND BEING ACCOMPANIED BY HIS UNCLE, RETIRED AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER GONZALO VIVAS, RILEY WOODS BEING PINNED BY HIS FATHER, STEVEN WOODS, UNACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, MARY WOODS, HIS BROTHER, CODY WOODS, HIS GIRLFRIEND, OLIVIA LONER, AND JOHANNA GALDAMEZ.
CHIEF DAVIS WILL NOW ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE
[01:35:18]
CLASS.ALRIGHT, WE GOT MORE COMING IN.
DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR THY WILL FAITHFULLY AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGE AND PERFORM OUT SAFELY AND ALLY MY CHARGE AND PERFORM ALL THE DUTIES IN COMING UP ON ME.
ALL THE DUTIES IN COMING UP 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 AND THE STATE OF TEXAS AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL BE FAITHFUL TO THE DEMANDS FOR TRUTH AND HONESTY.
THAT I'LL BE FAITHFUL TO THE DEMANDS FOR TRUTH 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, AND OBEY MY SENIORS IN RANK AND ENFORCE THE LAW.
AND ENFORCE THE LAW WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOR OR DISCRIMINATION, WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR OR DISCRIMINATION, I WILL DEVOTE MY EFFORTS AND SKILLS.
I'LL DEVOTE MY EFFORTS AND SKILLS TO THE HONORABLE PROFESSION OF POLICING, TO THE HONORABLE PROFESSION OF 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, CITY OF AUSTIN.
I WILL ASSIST THOSE IN PERIL OR DISTRESS.
I'LL ASSIST THOSE IN PERIL OR DISTRESS.
AND IF NECESSARY, AND IF NECESSARY, LAY DOWN MY LIFE.
LAY DOWN MY LIFE, RATHER THAN SWERVE FROM THE PATH OF DUTY, RATHER THAN SWERVE FROM THE PATH OF DUTY.
ON BEHALF OF THE RECRUITING AND TRAINING STAFF AND 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 BULLOCK, AS YOUR LAST OFFICIAL ACT AS POLICE PRESS, AS CLASS PRESIDENT, WILL YOU PLEASE DISMISS THESE OFFICERS, THIS STATEMENT THAT IS RESPECT BY ALL IN, COLLABORATE WITH OUR COMMUNITIES, MAKE AUSTIN
[01:40:01]
OF AMERICA, GIVE YOU OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.WE MAKE STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
TERRY, THE CORNERSTONE POLICE, WORK WITHOUT TRUST LAW, MAKE RIGHT PROFESSIONAL DECISIONS TO THE COMMUNITY, THE DEPARTMENT AND COWORKER, ALL THE COMMUNITY, THE DEPARTMENT, AND MOST IMPORTANT, THE PROFESSIONAL ACTIONS AND DECISION MAKING.