CONTACT: Sgt. Belinda Nettles
(424) 646-5591
TEN AIRPORT POLICE CADETS GRADUATE FROM LAPD CADET ACADEMY
(Los Angeles, California – November 21, 2013) Ten Airport Police cadets ranging in ages between 13-20, recently graduated from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Cadet Academy Program on November 16. The cadets were sworn in during a graduation ceremony in the University of Southern California’s Galen Center.
In attendance at the graduation ceremony were Assistant Chief Michael Hyams, Lieutenant Edward Trahan, Sergeant Daniel Romo and Youth Service Officers William Lara and Ericka Holliday. “We are very proud of our cadets and pleased that Cadet Perez was chosen for such a great honor. The cadet program is a tremendous opportunity to help develop today’s youth into the leaders of tomorrow,” said Airport Police Assistant Chief Michael Hyams.
The cadets will be assigned to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) where plans are being made to rotate them among various units within the Airport Police Division and throughout the airport. Youth Service Officers (YSO) are tasked with mentoring and teaching leadership skills to the cadets. The cadets’ current duties and activities include: providing information and directions to travelers in the Central Terminal area during the holidays, participating in various division training scenarios, the Christmas in July and LAX Kiwanis Club events, as well as many other activities, including decorating Tournament of Roses parade floats. They also assisted during the recent opening of the first phase of the New Tom Bradley International Terminal.
Cadet Priscilla Perez, daughter of Airport Employee Mirna Serrano, was selected from among nearly 500 of her classmates to receive the award for the Most Motivational Cadet award based on her work ethic, attitude and inspirational drive during the academy. She also received the most Inspirational Cadet award for leading her platoon by example and motivating them throughout the academy class.
Earlier this year, Cadets Meagan Billington and Lamont Green both successfully became Youth Cadet sergeants. YSO William Lara said, “they have exhibited a strong passion for the youth cadet program and have taken a leadership role in mentoring their peers. They continually dedicate extra time and effort to keeping the cadets structured and focused and assume leadership responsibilities during events and outings.”
The Airport Police Cadet Program is open to youths between the ages of 13 and 20. The goal of the program is to help instill the values of leadership, academic excellence, life skills and discipline into participants. The program also seeks to empower students with the skills to maximize personal, scholastic and life potential as well as provide insights into law-enforcement careers. Interested persons should call Airport Police Recruitment at 1-800-GO-AIR-PD for further information.
The Los Angeles Airport Police Division is the nation's premier aviation law enforcement agency with over 1,100 specially trained police officers, security officers, and civilian staff protecting Los Angeles International, LA/Ontario International and Van Nuys airports.
From L to R – Assistant Chief Michael Hyams, cadets (centered) Jayla High, Ana DeLeon, Merlin Gonzalez, Priscilla Perez, Brian Brass,
Jordan Johnson, Darnell Wilson, Cameron Stewart, Matthew Alba and Remaiya Marshall (not pictured); YSOs William Lara,
Ericka Holliday, Sgt. Daniel Romo and Lt. Edward Trahan.
YSO William Lara Youth Cadet Sgts Meagan Billington and Lamont Green and YSO Ericka Holliday
Sgt. Daniel Romo, Assistant Chief Michael Hyams, Cadet Prescilla Perez (award recipient) and Lt. Edward
Trahan
