A total of 73 polished recruits lined up in formation Friday morning, awaiting final inspection before their formal change from recruits to California peace officers during their graduation ceremony.

Academy Class 416, which is made up of 58 male and 9 female deputy sheriffs; and 5 male and 1 female police officers from Glendale, Los Angeles School and San Marino Police Departments, graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Biscailuz Center Training Academy in Los Angeles, during Friday’s ceremonies.

Steven K. Zipperman, Chief of the Los Angeles School Police Department, delivered inspirational remarks to the graduates and their guests. After receiving their graduation certificates, the graduates were officially sworn in as California peace officers by Sheriff Jim McDonnell.

In a special segment of the ceremony, Deputy David Schenk, from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, was named Honor Recruit.  This award is presented to the recruit who achieves the highest numerical average based upon leadership qualities, academics, marksmanship, and physical performance throughout the training period.  Deputy Christopher Carlson, also from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, was named Academic Recruit, graduating with the highest academic scores.

Each class of recruits processed through the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Biscailuz Center Training Academy brings together a collection of unique aspects, qualities and experiences.  One example of such is that out of the 73 graduating recruits from Academy Class 416, 41 speak a language other than English.  They speak Korean, Spanish and Tagalog.

In addition to the social enrichment and mindfulness, 6 recruits bring to LASD from their life experiences of living abroad; 27 recruits carry with them substantial education with bachelor’s and master’s degrees; 12 recruits served in the military; 13 have previous experience in law enforcement and 16 have family members in law enforcement.