Gilbert Class 1 (the first Gilbert Police Academy) made up of 16 police officers - 11 from Gilbert and five from Queen Creek - graduated on Feb. 11.
They have been through 22 weeks of intense physical, emotional and mental training, according to Sonu Wasu, public information officer of public safety for the Town of Queen Creek.
Queen Creek Police Officer David Valenzuela earned the most honors as top recruit, exemplary recruit, top firearms and top physical conditioning in the class.
The other Queen Creek Police Department (QCPD) recruits who received their badges and were sworn in during the graduation ceremony on Friday are Hector Fernandez, Adam Helms, Jose Garcia Renteria and Michael Tenorio.
“We are so pleased to have worked with the Town of Gilbert and to have five recruits graduate from the very first academy class. This is a wonderful example of how public safety agencies are working together to better serve the public,” said Queen Creek Police Chief Randy Brice. “I am so proud to welcome these graduates to our QCPD family. They are excited to be part of our amazing town and look forward to serving the community for many years.”
The officers will undergo more training in Queen Creek before they are out patrolling the streets.
