Behind the Badge
The Santa Ana Police Department has welcomed three new officers to its ranks.
Officers John Choi, Joseph Lopez and Kevin Reynolds graduated from the Orange County Sheriff’s Training Academy as members of Basic Academy Class 236 in a ceremony held in front of hundreds of family members, supporters and law enforcement personnel at the Tustin facility Aug. 15, 2019.
Santa Ana PD’s newest officer, Kevin Reynolds, receives his new badge during the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy Class of 236 graduation ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Choi was honorary Class Sergeant in the class of 53 graduates at the high-stress, six-month academy, where recruits are expected to get through rigorous physical fitness training with a constant demand to perform well in a variety of scenarios.
“This academy tested us mentally and physically,” said Class President Jordan Dorrance, a Santa Monica Police Department recruit. “It pushed each of us to our limits and then beyond that limit. From day one, we have been expected to give everything, all while performing under intense pressure.”
Santa Ana Police Chief David Valentin, left, salutes SAPD’s newest officer, John Choi, as he takes the stage to receive his new badge during the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy Class of 236 graduation ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Training for Santa Ana PD’s three recruits focused on force-on-force, less-lethal and non-lethal force options, emergency driver training, search techniques, firearms training, investigations and more.
Recruits were prepared physically and mentally.
Santa Ana PD’s newest officer, John Choi, is congratulated by Santa Ana Police Chief David Valentin before receiving his new badge during the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy Class of 236 graduation ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Chief Greenberg was the keynote speaker at the academy graduation.
“In my opinion, law enforcement is the most honorable profession on the planet, and you guys should be proud of what you’ve accomplished already,” Greenberg told the graduates. “You join a law enforcement family, and that law enforcement family runs throughout this room, throughout the county, throughout the state, and throughout the nation.”
Santa Ana PD’s newest officer, John Choi, receives his new badge from his family during the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy Class of 236 graduation ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Greenberg went on to point out the current challenges faced by law enforcement officers including the drug epidemic, homeless crisis and mental health crisis, along with more intense scrutiny by the public and the media than ever before.
“Today’s cops need to be lawyers, mental health workers, domestic counselors, drug and alcohol abuse counselors, and mental professionals,” Greenberg said. “We need to be trained in advance tactics, de-escalation techniques, crisis negotiation, peer support, and the list goes on and on.”
Santa Ana PD’s newest officer, John Choi, with his family after receiving his new badge during the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy Class of 236 graduation ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The chief discussed the dangers of the profession and mentioned the recent shooting death of CHP Officer Andre Moye and wounding of six police officers in Philadelphia.
He talked about new laws that seem to favor the criminals over citizens and the police.
Santa Ana PD’s newest officer, Joseph Lopez, right, is congratulated by Santa Ana Police Chief David Valentin before receiving his new badge during the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy Class of 236 graduation ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
But there is a huge upside to the career, Greenberg said.
“We work in a profession that is exciting and fulfilling,” Greenberg said. “We get to help people in their time of need. Occasionally, we get to save lives.”
Santa Ana PD’s newest officer, Joseph Lopez, receives his new badge from his family during the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy Class of 236 graduation ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg gives the keynote address as police chiefs from the other police agencies with graduates sit on stage during the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy’s Class of 236 graduation ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Members of the Class of 236 take the Oath of Office at the conclusion of the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy’s graduation ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
