Issue Date: 06/23/2010

Contact: Belinda Nettles

LOS ANGELES AIRPORT POLICE SWEARS IN FOUR NEW POLICE OFFICERS

(Los Angeles, California – June 23, 2010)  Four new police officers are joining the ranks of the Los Angeles Airport Police following their June 18 graduation from the Los Angeles Police Academy.

Los Angeles Airport Police Chief George R. Centeno performed the swearing in of graduates Charles Yoon, Rafaela Vasquez, Chad White and Jose Viramontes.   Offficer Yoon  was selected class president by his academy peers, an honor recognizing his leadership and assertiveness that is observed within the first four or five weeks of being in the academy.  He delivered the class speech before academy classmates, family and friends.

Assistant Chief Brian A. Walker, Captain LaPonda Fitchpatrick represented the Airport Police Command Staff and Stephen Martin, Chief Operating Officer for Los Angeles World Airports was also present.

The new officers will next undergo a six-month field training program specific to airport law enforcement.  They will be assigned a Field Training Officer before being assigned to the Patrol Services Section.

The Los Angeles Airport Police Division is the fourth largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County with more than 1,200 law enforcement, security and staff personnel.  Airport Police is a division of Los Angeles World Airports, the City department that owns and operates three airports in Southern California: Los Angeles International (LAX), LA/Ontario International (ONT) and Van Nuys (general aviation).