Los Angeles Police Academy Graduation

WHO:
Assistant Chief Jim Mc Donnell with Command Staff and Special Guest Gunnery Sergeant Kenneth W. Sargent USMC.

WHAT:
Recruit Graduation Ceremony

WHERE:
Frank Hotchkin Training Center (Gymnasium)

WHEN:
Friday, January 7, 2005
9:00 a.m.

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is proud to announce the graduation of forty-four new police officers. Recruit officers from the June 2004 class successfully completed 1064 hours of training over the course of 28 weeks. The training included Community and Human Relations, Physical Fitness, Self-Defense, Tactics, Patrol Procedures, Spanish, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Firearms, Laws and Use of Force.

The June 2004 class is made up of 40 male officers and 4 female officers.

It is anticipated that over 500 guest will attend the graduation ceremony as these officers embark on their new career protecting and serving the city of Los Angeles. Assistant Chief Jim Mc Donnell will inspect the classes along with Department Command Staff. Also in attendance will be special guest, Gunnery Sergeant Kenneth W. Sargent USMC. Gunnery Sargent is a thirty-six year old native of Lake Village, Indiana who attended United States Marine Corps basic training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in July 1986 and later trained as a motor team mechanic.

Gunnery Sargent is currently assigned to the 1 ST FSSG Maintenance Battery at Camp Pendleton. His other assignments include Okinawa, Corpus Christi, Texas, Barstow, California, and Camp Pendleton. Gunnery Sargent’s decorations include the national Defense Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Purple Heart. Gunnery Sargent was wounded in action in Najaf , Iraq on August 5, 2004.

Gunnery Sargent was raised by parents Shirley Hinkle and Father Larry Sargent. He is married to wife Tonia and has two daughters, Tasha and Alisha.

The media is invited to attend and cover this ceremony.

This news release was prepared by LAPD Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.