Culver City Police Chief Delivers Academy Graduation Keynote Address

Sixteen female and 39 male deputy sheriffs, as well as five female and 13 male police officers from the Baldwin Park School, Covina, Culver City, Los Angeles School, Monrovia, Monterey Park and Signal Hill Police Departments; and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, California Department of Insurance, and Department of State Hospitals, graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Training Academy in Whittier during ceremonies held Friday morning at the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Services (STARS) Center.

The ceremony was presided over by Sheriff Lee Bacca and Chief Donald Pedersen of the Culver City Police Department delivered the keynote address.

 “You are beginning a career that at times can be frustrating and most certainly challenging,” Pedersen told the graduates. “Most importantly, however, you have joined a profession, which in my opinion is the most rewarding and fulfilling imaginable.”

Pedersen went on to say, “You have been given a special place in our society – one that is reserved for people such as yourselves who have demonstrated the resolve and commitment necessary to protect our communities from criminals and many other threats. It is extremely important for you to remember that your contributions and efforts will always be appreciated by law abiding citizens.”

As part of the graduation, a badge-pinning ceremony was conducted, with the new Deputies and Officers receiving their badges from a family member or loved one. After receiving their graduation certificates, the graduates were officially sworn in as peace officers by Sheriff Lee Baca.

In a special segment of the ceremony, Deputy Derek M. Baray of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, a resident of Temecula, was named the Honor and Academic Recruit for Class #390. This award is given to the recruit who achieves the highest numerical average based upon leadership qualities, academics, marksmanship, and physical performance throughout the training period.

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