A total of 73 men and women beamed as they stood on the grinder at the Biscailuz Center Training Academy in Los Angeles, for the last time as deputy sheriff trainees and police officer recruits, and graduated into peace officers.

Class #408 is comprised of eight female and 58 male deputy sheriffs; one female and seven male police officers from the Azusa, Culver City, Glendora, Hawthorne, Monrovia, and San Gabriel Police Departments; and one female agent from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Together, they graduated during ceremonies held on Friday, November 20, 2015.

During the ceremony, Chief James Hunt, Monrovia Police Department, delivered inspirational remarks to the graduates and their guests.

The graduates received their certificates and were officially sworn in as peace officers by Sheriff Jim McDonnell, who presided over the ceremony.

In a special segment of the ceremony, Recruit Paul Saldana, a deputy sheriff trainee, was named the Honor Recruit. This award is given to the recruit who achieves the highest numerical average based upon leadership qualities, academics, marksmanship, and physical performance throughout the training period.

Recruit Erik Swanson, also a deputy sheriff trainee, was named the Academic Recruit for graduating with the highest academic scores.

The next step for the new graduates is reporting to their assignments. They will be taking their first steps, not just toward a job, but toward an honorable, challenging and rewarding career.