Police Academy Graduates New Officers
EL PASO, TX. – The El Paso Police Academy graduated 22 new officers Friday.
“It makes me feel very proud, to know thatI had an excellent staff that taught us and trained us, so [I’m] just very excited and motivated,” said new officer, Magali Guevara. The ceremony took place at the Chamizal Memorial Theater.
The new officers will take up assignments with patrol units at various command centers around the city. A police spokesperson tellsABC-7 the department lost 43 officers during the six-and-a-half months that this class was in training.
In an exclusive report fromABC-7 on Wednesday,it was discoverdthat the El Paso Police force is short by about 350 officers. As the department struggles to close that gap, this year’s graduates look forward to keeping El Paso safe.
“It meansI have an opportunity to serve my community, to be able to take care of the people thatI work with. My family, friends, and everyone else,” added Guevara. The El Paso Police Academy curriculum includes courses on criminal law, report writing, principles of investigation, police vehicle operations, and firearm training.
— Written for broadcast by Gary Warner
— Edited for the web by Miguel Martinez