The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office congratulated and welcomed 13 academy graduates at the Allan Hancock College Basic Law Enforcement Academy graduation today. The class of 26 recruits completed a comprehensive 22-week course program in California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), with 862-hours of course instruction. Some of the academy instruction included communication skills, report writing, laws of arrest, search and seizure, firearms, ethics, investigation procedures, patrol techniques, arrest and control, physical training, CPR/First Aid, and emergency vehicle operations.

The Sheriff’s Office is pleased to welcome new deputies; Zeke Alleman, Mitchell Cunningham, Ciana Garcia, Blake Goodwin, Israel Gutierrez, Hugo Hernandez, Christian Navarro, Daniel Nova, Erica Pereyra, Jourdan Richman, Alyssa Torres, Wilhelm Wallace, and Elijah Wilkinson.

The ceremony, which marks a beginning milestone in each deputies’ career, was shared with their close family members and included a badge pinning ceremony where recruits have their badges pinned on their uniforms by their mothers, fathers, and significant others. This shared moment marks the culmination of over six months of hard work by the recruits and unwavering support from the family members who stood by them.

During the graduation ceremony, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s recruits were honored with achievement awards. Deputy Nova earned Valedictorian, Academics, and Arrest and Control Awards.  Deputy Pereyra earned the Leadership and Report Writing Awards. Deputy Alleman was awarded the Leo Ortega Most Inspirational, Physical Fitness and Emergency Vehicle Operations Awards.

If a career in law enforcement ignites your passion or if you know someone who fits the bill, don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this incredible journey. Explore the possibilities and apply today at SBSheriff.org. Your path to contributing to a safer community starts here!