[LASD] – Seventy-five new peace officers from 11 policing agencies graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy Friday.

The graduates included 16 female and 39 male Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies, as well as 5 female and 15 male police officers from the following police departments: Baldwin Park School, Covina, Culver City, Los Angeles School, Monrovia, Monterey Park and Signal Hill; and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, California Department of Insurance, and Department of State Hospitals.

The ceremony was held at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Training Academy and Regional Services (STARS) Center in Whittier on Friday, October 19, 2012.

Chief Donald Pedersen of the Culver City Police Department delivered inspirational remarks to the graduates and their guests.

As part of the graduation, a badge-pinning ceremony was conducted, with the new deputies and officers receiving their badges from a family member or loved one. After receiving their graduation certificates, the graduates were officially sworn in as peace officers by Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca.

In a special segment of the ceremony, Deputy Derek M. Baray of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, was named the Honor and Academic Recruit for Class #390. 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.