For Immediate Release August 19, 2022
OPD NEWS:
188th Basic Recruit Academy Graduation
Today, the Oakland Police Department (OPD) welcomed 30 new officers to the OPD family, as members of the 188th Basic Recruit Academy graduated at a ceremony held at the Scottish Rite Center. “Our expectation and the community’s expectation are for you to hold one another accountable and do your job with compassion and humility,” said Oakland Police Chief LeRonne L. Armstrong. “The Oakland Police Department is headed in the right direction, and I welcome you to this exciting time. Where we will demonstrate that we are the best police department in America.”
“The graduates today continue to author the next chapter of policing in Oakland and across America," said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. "I’m personally grateful to each and every one of our new Oakland police officers because they are the individuals who raised their hands and stepped forward in this historical moment as our City forges ahead to become a national model for progressive and professional policing.”
The 188th Academy Class is a diverse group with five females and 25 males; members of the group speak multiple languages including Spanish, Arabic, Punjabi, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. The Valedictorian for the 188th Academy is Lee Woodall. The newly sworn Officers are Joshua Smith, Brandan Brisco, Damian Flores, Cruz Quinones-Olsen, Ralpheal Hale, Dylan Austin, Brandon Pelayo, David Valenzuela, Jericko Gonzalez, Misi Tafaoialii, Robert Espejo, Joshua Olivas, Jessica Menezes, Trinlay Gyaltso, Richard Altamirano, Xavier Nhem-Joseph, Jquhal Jackson, Manuel Gallegos, Diamond Survine, Ariel Butler, Francis Arrostuto, Mario Macias, Dellal Chan, Brittany Pyle, Robert Thompson, John Dulalas, A’mari Coleman, Edgar Cedillo and Carlos Flores. Two officers from Alameda Police Department also graduated from OPD’s 188th Academy.
The graduates are a welcomed addition to our Oakland family, bringing the department to 683 sworn officers, our highest number since January of this year.