A total of eighty-six recruits graduated earlier today from the Eugene W. Biscailuz Regional Training Academy, located in City Terrace. Sixty-eight of the graduates were deputy sheriff’s, comprising of fifty-four men and fourteen women. Eighteen graduates were from participating police agencies with fourteen men and four women representing the California Department of Insurance, Fraud Division; Department of State Hospitals, Metropolitan Los Angeles; and the Culver City, Downey, Inglewood, and Redondo Beach Police Departments. The ceremony was held on Friday, January 23, 2015, at East Los Angeles College.

Steve Cooley, District Attorney Emeritus of Los Angeles County, delivered inspirational remarks to the graduates and guests.

As part of the graduation tradition, a badge-pinning ceremony was conducted. The new deputies and officers received their badges from a family member or a friend. After receiving their Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certificates, the graduates were sworn-in as California peace officers by Sheriff Jim McDonnell.

A special segment of the graduation ceremony recognized and awarded Deputy Sheriff Michael Andrew Young of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as Academy Class #403’s Honor Recruit. This award is presented to the recruit who achieves the highest numerical average centered on leadership qualities, academic skills, marksmanship, and physical performance throughout the training period. Deputy Sheriff Kelly Follstad also of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was honored as Academic Recruit, graduating with the highest academic scores.

Academy Class #403 is the first graduation ceremony officiated by Sheriff Jim McDonnell since being elected to office.