Behind the Badge
Family, friends and local dignitaries gathered at the Orange Police Department in support of six new officers sworn in at the agency on Wednesday, July 26.
Orange Chief of Police Thomas Kisela offered the newest members of the department some words of wisdom before they raised their right hands for the Oath of Office.
“Always remember we work for the community,” Kisela said at Wednesday’s event. “Communicate with your families…What a lot of people seem to forget is your family is going through it [with you].”
Orange Mayor Teresa “Tita” Smith also gave some words of encouragement to the officers, saying Orange is a safe city thanks to the work of local police and fire.
“It’s the underpinning and foundation for our whole community,” she said.
Family members, friends and colleagues gather at the Orange PD for the swearing-in of six new officers on July 26.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Lt. Jeff Bird introduced the officers to the audience by reading their bios:
Officer Vincent Flynn
Flynn served as a police cadet for the Orange PD, where he worked in the Gang Unit for one year, before attending the police academy. He’s served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves since 2011. His career goals include returning to the Gang Unit, becoming a K9 handler and earning a position on the OPD SWAT Team.
Officer Steven Guerrero
Guerrero served in the U.S. Marines, attaining the rank of staff sergeant, before attending the police academy. He follows his father (a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy) and brother (L.A. County Sheriff’s deputy) into the field of law enforcement. His career goals include working in the Gang Unit and becoming a member of the SWAT Team.
Officer Carlos Romero
Before entering the police academy, Romero worked in security services at a nearby hospital and also obtained his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Cal State Fullerton. Romero was an explorer for the OPD from 2005 to 2012, where he eventually rose to the rank of explorer lieutenant. His career goals include working in the Gang Unit and becoming a K9 handler.
Officer Tanner McLeod
McLeod earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration at Cal State Long Beach before entering the police academy. His career goals include becoming a K9 handler and a member of the SWAT team.
Officer Christian Gray
Gray is a graduate of the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy and earned an associate of science degree in administration of justice from Mt. San Jacinto College. He is a lateral transfer from the Irvine Police Department. His career goals include becoming a K9 handler, a field training officer, a SWAT operator and a drug recognition expert (DRE).
Officer Ryan Wills
A graduate of the Golden West Police Academy, Wills worked for the Montebello Police Department as a police officer. He also served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne, where he attained the rank of specialist. His father is retired from the West Covina Police Department, where he served as police chief. Wills’ career goals include becoming a detective and a member of the SWAT team.
“I’m always so impressed when young people choose a career of service,” Smith told Behind the Badge after the ceremony. “I can’t say enough of how pleased we are attracting this caliber of officers.”
Six new officers are sworn in by Orange City Clerk Mary Murphy, right, during a ceremony at Orange PD headquarters. They are, from left, Vincent Flynn, Steven Guerrero, Christian Gray, Carlos Romero, Tanner McLeod and Ryan Wills.
On the far left are, from left, Councilman Fred Whitaker, Councilman Mike Alvarez, Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Murphy and Mayor Teresa Smith.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
