28 cadets graduate from Las Cruces police academy

The Las Cruces Police Department graduated 28 cadets from its 51st academy June 17 at the Las Cruces Convention Center.

Of the 28 cadets expected to graduate, 26 will become officer-trainees with the Las Cruces Police Department while two will join the New Mexico State University Police Department, the City of Las Cruces said in a news release.

The graduating class includes Gage Adler, Travis Allison, Christian Alvarez, Ramon Armendariz, Andrea Castaneda, Ivan Chacon, Edward Chavez, Christian Corral, Nathan Dorado, Frank Gamez, Adrian Hernandez, Carlos Hernandez, Jonah Hernandez, Marcus Hughes, Hilario Ibarra, Arnie Martinez, Joan Monsivias, Enrique Olivas-Gomez, Johnathan Pagan, Louis Reyna, Kimberly Rios, Karen Rodriguez, Ricardo Romero, Matthew Sanchez, Chanan Singh, Adam Takiari, Trent Williams and Jordan Zielke.

Chavez and Zielke graduated on behalf of the NMSUPD.

All 28 graduates will have completed rigorous training exercises and passed comprehensive state exams that made them eligible for their New Mexico peace officer certification, the city said.

The education LCPD cadets receive exceeds requirements established by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety. LCPD’s state-certified Academy provides more than 1,000 hours of law enforcement education and training. About 75 percent of the academy is classroom instruction. The remainder consists of field training in and around Las Cruces, the news release said.

Upon completion of the academy, each graduate joining LCPD will be assigned to an experienced field training officer who will guide him or her during an additional 14 weeks of instruction before becoming a patrol officer.

Anyone interested in a career as a Las Cruces police officer can speak with a recruiter by texting JOINLCPD to 575-376-6817.

Editor’s note: The 26 cadets joining LCPD will bring the department to 197 officers. It has 202 authorized positions.