Members of the University of Central Florida Police Department leadership and staff joined five new officers and their families as they were sworn into office Monday afternoon.
University staff and members across the department helped review candidates and select officers. The five officers were selected from a pool of 278 applicants, and bring the total count to 71 officers across the main campus, Rosen, Lake Nona and the regional campuses, according to UCF spokeswoman Courtney Gilmartin.
Officers Terrell Alexander, Jerad Engel, Agustin Gonzalez and Ricky Lopez took their oath of office in front of UCF Police Chief Richard Beary. A fifth officer, a retired NYPD officer and Army veteran, prefers to let his classmates have the spotlight.
Photo by Nick Russett.
Officer Jerad Engel was a staff sergeant for the Florida Air National Guard. He also has experience working security for a hospital in Jacksonville. When asked about his new role, he said he’s excited about “interacting with the public and making sure UCF students are safe and protected.”
“These officers will help UCF Police enhance our community-policing practices and deliver on our mission to provide a safe environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors,” said UCF Police Chief Richard Beary. “We are excited to welcome them to our family.”
The officers started a field-training program back in September, and will continue through five months of classroom training and working in the field while paired with a UCFPD officer.
UCFPD plans to hire two additional classes, with four to five officers over the next several years, according to Gilmartin.
Photo credit: Nick Russett
