Issue Date: 12/29/2011

Contact: Belinda Nettles 
(424) 646-5260

TWO NEW AIRPORT POLICE RECRUITS GRADUATE FROM LAPD ACADEMY

(Los Angeles, California – December 29, 2011)  Two new police recruits join the ranks of Los Angeles Airport Police on December 30, following their graduation from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Academy at Elysian Park.

The new officers are Juan Arellano and Jimmy Mercado, both represent academy class 7-11 led by Airport Police Drill Instructor Adela Lopez.  Lopez has been solely assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department Academy since early 2010.  This is the second class under her leadership since her appointment and her first class with Airport Police graduates.  Class 5-10 also led by Drill Instructor Lopez was filled with all LAPD recruits.

Arellano was selected class vice president by his academy peers and was also voted astoprecruit for academics. Mercado was voted top recruit in physical training.

Both officers will be sworn in by Los Angeles Airport Police Chief George R. Centeno after the graduation ceremony.  Chief Centeno said, “I am very proud to be a part of ensuring the continuation of this very honorable profession by swearing in these two new police officers.  This is a day they will remember forever.”  Attendees of the ceremony will include Assistant Chief Michael Hyams, Capt. Carolyn Smith, Lt. Mario Patrick, Sgts. Daniel Romo and Loretta Jones, and a host of other Airport Police personnel.

The Los Angeles Airport Police Division is the fourth largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County, with more than 1,100 law enforcement, security and staff personnel.  The 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, LA/Ontario International and Van Nuys (general aviation).