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THREE NEW LOS ANGELES AIRPORT POLICE OFFICERS GRADUATE LAPD ACADEMY
(Los Angeles, California – October 28, 2016) Three Los Angeles Airport Police Officers graduated from the LAPD Academy in a ceremony held at the newly renovated Elysian Park Academy near Dodger Stadium. LAPD Academy Class 5-16 with thirty-two recruit officers was the first class to graduate under the leadership of Los Angeles Airport Police Drill Instructor Carlos Gonzalez. “This was a hard working class, eager and ready to serve the traveling public and residents of Los Angeles,” said Gonzalez.
A little over six months ago, the three Airport Police Officer’s lives were moving in completely different directions. Officer Christopher Claddy, a former Washington Redskins pro football player, was looking for a career change after suffering an injury and a desire to bridge social divides. Officer Scott Hoang a forty-five year old South Korean immigrant with two young children, desired to live out his childhood dream to become a police officer and give back to his community. Lastly, Officer Joel Santana an immigrant from Mexico whose wife is four months pregnant with their first child, desired to set an example for his siblings and realize the American Dream. As fate would have it, their lives converged with their acceptance of positions with Los Angeles Airport Police, and they began the demanding LAPD Academy where integrity, discipline and respect are the foundation for success.
Before swearing in his new officers Los Angeles Airport Police Chief David L. Maggard Jr spoke to his officers and families. “This is a historic place with a lot of tradition and my first graduation as Chief of Airport Police,” said Chief Maggard, “I am honored and will remember today for many days to come.”
The new graduates will now begin a six-month Field Training Program specific to airport law enforcement under the guidance of a field training officer before being assigned to the Patrol Services Section.
In addition to its nearly 550 sworn officers, the Los Angeles Airport Police includes 430 security officers and nearly 200 civilian professional staff. As the largest aviation law enforcement agency in the nation, the Airport Police patrols and secures the third busiest commercial airport in the U.S, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys (VNY) airports
Drill Instructor Carlos Gonzalez
Chief of Airport Police David L. Maggard Jr., Officers Joel Santana, Christopher Claddy, Scott Hoang, Captain Tyrone Stallings, Captain Gregg Staar
