Chicago Politics

Chicago Police Department Graduation Ceremony 3.31.26

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Mayor Brandon Johnson attends the Chicago Police Department Graduation Ceremony.

Transcript

0:41 Chaplain Kimberly Lewis Davis of the Chaplain Section of the Chicago Police Department will give the invocation. Good morning, family. Let us pray. God of truth and knowledge, as we stand on the edge of possibility, we pause to drink from your wisdom.

1:14 We pause in this deep sense of accomplishment, pride, and hope of this very moment. Suspended in time between the ordinary and extraordinary, we gather with abundant joy and overwhelming gratitude. This graduation embodies our vision of education as an engaged and dynamic partnership between the Chicago Police Department and the residents of the City of Chicago. Our work here has never been simply for private use, but always for public greater good.

1:45 and so today we celebrate our collective commitment to creating a better more just world may we bask in the joy of this day and may the fierce dedication and patient perseverance that has brought us to this moment carry us to carry us forth to create a world full of hope peace justice and compassion beyond measure to all in your most holy name we pray let the collective the body say amen can you see by the dawn what so proudly we at the twilight's last gleaming

4:32 whose broad stripes and bright stars through the peril or the ramparts were so gallantly And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

5:03 Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet... O'er the land of the...

6:42 Please be seated. Good morning. I am Magdalia Bulnes, Deputy Chief at the Training and Support Group. Today we celebrate and honor the beginning of the careers of individuals who serve and protect our city. Today, Recruit Class 24-8, 25-1, 25-2, 25-3, and 25-4

7:24 will graduate and follow in the footsteps of thousands of men and women who have served and continue to serve our great city. In addition, department members will be honored for their promotions to Deputy Chief, sorry, Chief, Deputy Chief, Managing Deputy Director, Commander, Deputy Director, Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, Detective, Evidence Technician, and Field Training Officer.

7:56 I will now introduce to you the individuals seated on the stage, beginning on my far right from the Executive Director of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, Keith Calloway, Chief Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform,

8:30 Deputy Chief Bureau of Counterterrorism, Chip Papiano, Chief Bureau of Detectives, Antoinette Yossetti, Chief Bureau of Patrol, John Hine, Mayor of the City of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, Superintendent Larry Snelling. We would also like to acknowledge the special guests in the audience.

9:03 From the Office of the Mayor of Community Safety, Deputy Mayor Jason Stanford. From the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, Director of Operations, Maureen Begain. Executive Board President, Sandra Wortham. Executive Director, Art Hannes. and representatives from the 100 Club of Illinois. At this time... Superintendent Larry Snelling will now like to recognize newly promoted Chief

9:38 Timothy L. Moore. I now ask that he step forward. Chief Hine will now administer

10:28 the oath of office to our newest police officers. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, state your name, have been appointed to the office of Police Officer, City of Chicago, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution

11:05 of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the Office of Police Officer according to the best of my abilities. Congratulations to Chicago's newest police officers.

11:49 Good morning. I am Lieutenant Raymond Fierro from the Training and Support Group, and it is my pleasure to introduce Police Officer Montes Ivan Ouskas, the spokesperson for today's graduating classes, who will now deliver the graduation speech.

12:19 Good morning. I am honored to stand before you today. I would like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the Education and Training Division staff that guided us as we took our first steps into the Chicago Police Department. I also extend my thanks to our superintendent, Larry Snelling, and our mayor, Brandon Johnson, for joining us on this special occasion. Finally, I'd like to recognize our friends and family, those present today and those of us in spirit, whose unwavering support made this achievement possible every step of the way.

12:52 To our graduating classes, congratulations. As we begin our careers at the Chicago Police Department, I want to take a moment to reflect on where this journey started with those of yourselves seated to your left and your right. Each of us arrived with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to offer. We faced new challenges, tested our limits, but through it all, we worked together towards our unified goal of becoming Chicago Police Officers. This new chapter in our lives and the responsibility that comes with it would not be possible with the brave officers who came before us.

13:24 It is an honor to be part of the Chicago Police Department and those who have chosen to serve of the city of Chicago. With every shift, this uniform should remind us of the trust our community has placed in us to protect, to serve, and to do what is right. May we carry that responsibility with focus, dedication, and pride in the work we do. To the class of 24-8, 25-1, 25-2, 25-3, and 25-4, I hope each of us has a long, safe, and fulfilling career. No matter what lies ahead,

13:55 hold on to the reason you started this journey, And always remember your why. God bless our city and all those we are sworn to protect. Thank you. Thank you, Officer Ivanuskas. Superintendent Larry Snelling will now address today's honorees. Good morning.

14:33 We can do better than that. Good morning. Good morning. Very good. We're here to honor everybody from the Chicago Police Department and all of their achievements. Let me start out by recognizing all of the people here who have made great achievements to get where they are. First of all, our recruit class. All of our newly appointed officers.

15:04 This is a great job, a great profession, a great career, and I'm sure that's why you stepped up to the challenge. This is a job that not many people want to do or are actually equipped to do it. I've said this before, if you look at studies, studies show that only 1% of the entire population are actually qualified to do this job. Think about the elite positions that you're in right now, the company, your jobs right now to go out and protect everyone in this city.

15:45 No matter where they're from, no matter what part of town, where they grew up, who they are, what their beliefs are. That's what we believe in. Justice for everybody, because that's the oath that you took. Now keep this in mind, especially when you're new. You come on this job with dreams. Sometimes they change. Sometimes things happen and you start to question if you're appreciated.

16:17 The moment that you start to question if you're appreciated, I want you to go home and look at your family members. I want you to hear the cries of these young babies. And the most vulnerable people out there, they appreciate you because you are what stands between them and people who will do them harm. When people are suffering through their worst moments, when they're hurt, when they're in pain, you're usually the first person that they call.

16:54 they're looking for you because when someone is in distress and they see you approaching in that uniform it brings them some sense of relief and comfort don't ever forget that don't ever forget why you took this job don't ever forget the purpose behind being a police officer and a Chicago police officer at that. What you have achieved is greatness. Now it's up

17:25 to you to carry it on. There are people out there on a daily basis who call and tell me about the great interactions that they've had with police officers. It makes them feel good. You will hear naysayers, you will be criticized, and at times you'll even be lied on. Doesn't matter. Know who you are, know your character and keep pushing forward. When you go home and you look in the mirror and you like what you

17:56 see, you're doing something right. When you can put your head on your pillow and sleep well at night, you're doing something right. When you can go home and look in the faces of your family members and your children and your spouses and your parents and they love what they see and you feel proud when you stand before them, you are doing something right. So when you go out into these communities and you are putting your lives on the line,

18:27 protecting people that you've never seen, that you haven't met, because you are standing on the side of right and goodness and protection, you are doing something right. Don't ever let anyone tell you that the jobs that you're doing right now, it's not worth it. It's always worth it. Because it takes a special person to sacrifice themselves for others that they've

19:05 never met. So what I will tell you is this, you have long careers ahead of you. 34 years of this job and I still love it. I love when I see officers at large-scale protests standing there dealing with adversity. and standing strong, showing composure, strength, courage, things that the average person couldn't do.

19:42 Keep being great. Never surround yourselves with negativity and negative people. Just simply walk away. Find something positive to do. There's enough negativity out there for you not to engage in it on this job. Let negative people do that alone. Take care of each other.

20:12 This is extremely important. When you see someone suffering, do not pile on, step up, talk to them, help them, grab them by the hand, have a conversation with them, have them reach out to someone else. This is truly a brotherhood and sisterhood. We have to take care of each other because until we do that, we'll have a hard time taking care of others.

20:44 Remember your why. To our exempt members who are being promoted today, you are the leaders of this department, and our young officers are depending on you. We have to make those decisions. It's sometimes hard, but you are the leaders of many people. We have to keep our department on track. Congratulations to your promotions to exempt rank.

21:14 To our captains, you are there to help out the commanders in the districts. In their absence, you are present. And in their presence, you are present. You're there for our offices. Please lead. leadership not only comes with praising those who are doing great things but also holding

21:45 those accountable accountability does not mean that we hurt each other it means that we keep each other on track to our newly promoted lieutenants you're taking on the job of the watch commanders, our field lieutenants, our officers are depending on you. They're depending on you to give them information during roll call, educate them, and continue to do so. And again,

22:16 accountability lies with you. To our sergeants, you are boots on the ground. You have first contact as a supervisor with our officers. They need you. They need you to make decisions. They need you to step up. They have to be taken care of. And again, that first level of accountability keeps our officers on track. To our detectives, great addition to our detective division, we're doing

22:53 great things. There are families who are depending on you because they're looking for justice. We fight every single day to do that, to bring some level of justice to family members of those who have been harmed and those who have been victimized. Our field training officers, look at these young people. You are their first contact to the street. They will always remember you.

23:25 Just the other day I was at a funeral and I saw my FTO, a great man, Jimmy Martin, and And he goes around bragging about how he used to yell at the superintendent of police. But he has that right, because he kept me on track, and I'll never forget the work that he did. To our evidence technicians, the collection of evidence for our detectives, processing

23:58 crime scenes is more important than you will ever know, especially with the work that we're doing now with our Crime Gun Intelligence Center and everything else that we're doing to combat crime and hold those accountable. So for all of those leaders that I just spoke of, you have to not fear criticism because the higher you go up, the more you will be criticized.

24:28 Great leaders have no fear of being criticized. Do what's right. Do what needs to be done. Work the way you know you have to, even when you know that there's a possibility of criticism. Great leaders work through it. They continue to do so. Lead these young officers because they are the future.

24:58 Who knows, sitting here in this group right now, in the next 25 years, could be the next superintendent. Who knows? Lead these people in the right direction. Continue to do what's right for our city and our residents. And to all of the family members here who support these officers, I know when they get up and they go to work, I know that you have fear. I know that you worry. But remember this, the sacrifice that these individuals are making right now are a direct result of the greatness within your family.

25:39 Know that any sacrifices that they are making right now is for the good of everyone sitting here now and everyone in this city. These are great people doing great things. Continue to do so. The leadership of the Chicago Police Department will always support you and make sure that you're prepared when you go out into the field. So protect yourselves, protect each other, protect your families, and protect every resident of the city of Chicago.

26:12 Thank you. With that, I'd like to introduce the mayor of the city of Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson. Thank you, Superintendent Snelling, for those words of encouragement and your leadership. Good morning, everyone. Let me also acknowledge the CPD command staff that are present here today.

26:45 Thank them for their leadership and enduring commitment to our communities. And then I'm proud that we are here to honor and celebrate this incredible milestone for all of you. To the men and women who are graduating today, and to all those that are being promoted on behalf of the City of Chicago, we say congratulations. This is a great day for our city. as our communities are strengthened by each of you who are stepping up to serve and to do it honorably.

27:16 Today, you are ready to build trust with communities to support community members on their hardest days and stand up for the most vulnerable amongst us. You have studied, trained, worked hard to reach this moment. And you are fueled by a compassionate heart, a strong will, and a spirit that wants to make a true difference in the lives that you encounter. If you uphold the principles of your profession and work in collaboration with each other and with our communities, I know without a doubt you will make that difference.

27:53 With every call that you respond to and every resident that you help, you will make Chicago a safer place for residents and families to live, plant roots, work, and thrive. Furthermore, you will leave behind a proud legacy for the next generation of Chicago police officers who will undoubtedly follow in your example, serving with integrity, respect, and dedication. take reassurance in the fact that you are not alone in building safer communities.

28:26 My administration is leading with the full force of government approach to foster safer communities. We do this by working in partnership with the people of Chicago, investing in the people of Chicago, and particularly in areas that need it the most, and by investing in you as our first responders. As a result of our collaborative strategies and these investments, in a data-driven violence prevention approach. We are proud that we are seeing consistent reductions in crime and violence across Chicago.

28:58 I ask you to lean into everything that you have been taught and trained to do so that we can continue to build on this progress together. As we gather today in celebration of you, we are mindful of the recent tragedy in Chicago's first responders' family. We continue to mourn Chicago firefighter and EMT, Michael Altman, and we pray for his family and the entire fire department. This tragedy is a reminder of the risks that first responders take every single day, offering

29:34 safety and security for those that you are promised to protect. The powerful outpouring of support from community members across the state is a reminder that all people continue to love and respect our first responders. And for Firefighter Altman, who is a hero in every sense of the word, we'll never forget him. And while we can never repay the debt of gratitude he is owed, we can follow in his footsteps and be dedicated and courageous in our communities and throughout the entire city of Chicago.

30:08 So let us honor his legacy, not only in remembrance, but in the way in which we show up for each other and the way we show up for this city every single day. As you embark upon this great mission, I urge you to lead with empathy, to listen as much as you act, and to always remember that the badge you wear is a symbol of service to the people of Chicago. My administration stands with you. We are ready to work with you to build a safer and a stronger Chicago.

30:39 To the graduating class and to the families that are here today, congratulations. Congratulations, and on behalf of the greatest city in the world, may God continue to bless you. Thank you very much. And now for the presentation of the certificates. Today's recruit graduates will now be presented with the graduation certificates.

31:10 Recruit Operations Sergeant Kevin Spizak will call the roll for Group 24-8, 25-1, 25-2, 25-3, and 25-4.

31:53 Police Officer Maria Ali. Police Officer Marlon Barrett Dwyer, Police Officer Angel Blancas, Police Officer Leverett Daniel, Police Officer Oscar Diego Perez, Police Officer Omar Flores, Police Officer Conrad Cozina, Police Officer Oscar Melendez, Police Officer Samir Cairo, Police Officer Armani Quintero,

33:50 Police Officer Azaray Resendez Police Officer Jordan Saltier

34:23 police officer Giselle Barraza Rodriguez, police officer Brian Galva, police officer Michael Gardner, police officer Pearl Martinez, police officer Maria Munoz, police officer Monserrat Olegiz, police officer Jeremy Perez, police officer Elizabeth Suarez, police officer Mariah Anderson, police officer Jeremy Crescenti,

36:01 Police Officer Samantha De La Garza Police Officer Nicholas Dominguez Police Officer Angela Finn

36:37 Police Officer O'Neill Gates Police Officer Lizette Nevarez Police Officer Jennifer Roman

37:13 Police Officer Jules Roos-Caudill Police Officer Edgar Vergara Police Officer Foster Williams

37:46 Police Officer Kaylin Woolfolk Police Officer Melanie Garcia Police Officer Sierra Gage

38:31 Police Officer Ricardo Godinez Police Officer Alexander Hamilton Police Officer Eric Huang Police Officer Andre Lake

39:19 Police Officer Veronica Lopez Police Officer Raquel Montez Deoca Police Officer Kimberly Ramos Police Officer Theophilus Togo

39:58 Police Officer Noel Villanueva Police Officer Cameron Brown

40:29 Police Officer Giselle Castillo Police Officer Damien DeLeon Police Officer Austin Farmer

41:05 Police Officer Jose Garday Jr. Police Officer Desiree Gonzalez, Police Officer Luis Granados, Police Officer Nadia Green,

41:46 Police Officer Christophe Henry, Police Officer Ramiro Martinez Jr., Police Officer Chyna Middleton,

42:25 Police Officer Ivan Perales, Police Officer Liliana Rosales, Police Officer Talia Bandera, Police Officer Caress Braswell

43:12 Police Officer Jonathan Chow Police Officer Jason Gainan Saka Police Officer Deya Emud Police Officer Armando Munoz Perez

43:52 Police Officer Robert Nitschai Police Officer Christian Rencone.

44:26 Police Officer Robert Ruiz. Police Officer Alfredo Saldana. Police Officer Jairo Altamirano.

45:02 Police Officer Ariana Bardan. Police Officer Christopher Blue. Police Officer Zachary Costigan.

45:44 Police Officer Suleyma Gomez. Police Officer Edward Gonzalez. Police Officer Montes Ivanouskis.

46:19 Police Officer Aiden Kennedy. Police Officer Russell Conan. Police Officer Cesar Martinez.

46:55 Police Officer Juana Ramirez. Police Officer Angelica Rodriguez. Police Officer Jesus Solano.

47:33 Police Officer Miles Stiff. Police Officer Tavares Terrell. Police Officer Jafet Torres.

48:11 Police Officer Christina Villegas. Police Officer Israel Almazan Police Officer Liliana Alvarez Police Officer Claudia Estrada

48:49 Police Officer Paula Kopech Police Officer Roberto Martinez.

49:24 Police Officer Esther Munoz. Police Officer Nicole Palacios. Police Officer Joshua Rivlin.

49:59 Police Officer Michelle Reset. Police Officer Ramel Tate. Police Officer Tristan Villalobos.

50:34 Police Officer David Balfour. Police Officer Andres Barron. Police Officer Blanca Correa. Police Officer Lelaine Dominguez

51:13 Police Officer Anthony Espejo Police Officer Joel Garcia Police Officer Mitchell Hernandez

51:47 Police Officer Katura Jones Police Officer Elizabeth Macias Police Officer Herman Martinez

52:26 Police Officer Patrick Nelson Police Officer Luis Nieves Police Officer Israel Perez

53:03 Police Officer Daniel Ramirez Police Officer Hannah Trenchard

53:36 Police Officer Yasmin Villisano Police Officer Jerrywin Watson Police Officer Patrick Westendorf

54:10 Police Officer Ru Zong. Police Officer Hugo Alvarez. Police Officer Edison Angamarca.

54:45 Police Officer Jamiah Thien. Police Officer Sean Faulkner. Police Officer Jesus Flores.

55:20 Police Officer Jose Garcia Nunez. Police Officer Alexis Leon. Police Officer Gennaro Macias.

55:54 Police Officer Eduardo Morales. Police Officer Bonisha Ransom. Police Officer Patrick Savage. Police Officer Alicia Urquizo.

56:41 Police Officer Ruben Vallee Jr. Police Officer Eric Villalobos. Police Officer Juan Alba Chavez.

57:15 Police Officer Eric Araujo. Police Officer Kennedy Christie. Police Officer Jaime Franco. Police Officer Adriana Grenier

57:52 Police Officer Anthony Hernandez Police Officer Karina Lopez Police Officer Angel Moreno

58:24 Police Officer Chinara Moten Police Officer Eric Maltier Police Officer Ethan Andrew Rodriguez

59:12 Police Officer Michael Schell, Police Officer Reginald Thomas, Police Officer DeJuan Brawley-Lacy, Police Officer Arlandria Brown, Police Officer Bernard Cosi, Police Officer Marco Gorgone, Police Officer Gabriel Hernandez, Police Officer Maggie Moy, Police Officer Dylan Obojkovic, Police Officer Rogelio Peterson Venegas,

1:01:13 Police Officer Matthew Robinson Police Officer Francisco Sandoval Police Officer Eric Smith

1:01:49 And Police Officer Rocco Soutour We will now recognize the promotions of our new Deputy Chiefs

1:02:27 Deputy Chief Brian Cunning Deputy Chief Michael Tate We will now recognize the promotion of our new Managing Deputy Director

1:03:00 Managing Deputy Director Casey McKenzie We will now recognize the promotions of our new commanders, Commander Patrick Darling, Commander Christian Donahue,

1:03:38 Commander Carl Hajdu, Commander James Levy. Commander Seamus Mannion.

1:04:12 Commander Andre Poston. We will now recognize the promotions of our new captains. Captain Yolanda Irving.

1:04:43 Captain Gregory Jackson. Captain Leonard Solche. We will now recognize the promotion of our new lieutenants.

1:05:19 Lieutenant Ala Awadala. Lieutenant Thomas Burnett. Lieutenant Brian Conlisk.

1:05:54 Lieutenant John Del Ponte. Lieutenant Michael Fields, Lieutenant Asada Godish, Lieutenant Jessica Harris, Lieutenant Robert Puccillo, Lieutenant William Riga Jr., Lieutenant Brian Schultz, Lieutenant Jason Slater, Lieutenant Kimberly Woods.

1:07:29 we will now recognize the promotion of our new sergeants. Sergeant Anthony Abram, Sergeant Brian Botner, Sergeant Bradley Bollington, Sergeant Madardo Castillo,

1:08:35 Sergeant Angela Cowart Smith, Sergeant Peter Cruz III. Sergeant Mamadou Diara, Sergeant Jeffrey Donnell, Sergeant Ivana Jerkovich, Sergeant Blair Farmer, Sergeant Latanya Foster, Sergeant Matthew Healy, Sergeant Matthew Kaslowski, Sergeant Jarrett Condritt, Sergeant Raymond Lockett, Sergeant Terrence McMahon, Sergeant Williams Munoz, Sergeant Daniel Przewski,

1:11:27 Sergeant Robert Prisbalowski, Sergeant Veronica Raina, Sergeant Adam Schur, Sergeant Nathan Smith, and Sergeant Maceo Taylor.

1:12:29 We will now recognize the promotion of our new detectives. Detective Sergio Aponte, Detective Molly Ban, Detective Matthew Brownridge, Detective Michael Culhane,

1:13:20 Detective Lukas Danowski. Detective Evelina Duda. Detective Munir Goga.

1:13:55 Detective Charles Johnson, Detective Christopher Malobabic, Detective Mark Nakayama, Detective Mary Salata, Detective Brendan Sweeney, Detective Luis Torres, Detective Sarai Trevino, Detective Catherine Vukovic, and Detective Jason Wilson.

1:15:31 We will now recognize the promotion of our new field training officer. Field training officer Daniel Wicochea. We will now conclude our ceremony with the benediction and the retiring of the colors.

1:16:08 After the benediction and the retiring of the colors, please remain in place until the dais and the department command personnel have filed out. Chaplain Kimberly Lewis Davis will deliver the benediction. Please rise and remain standing until the retiring of the colors.

1:16:44 On the fourth day of creation, God created lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night. Genesis 1, 16 reads, God made two great lights. The greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in a vault on the sky to give light on the earth to govern the day and the night and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.

1:17:16 As you go forth this morning with your new stars, know that God has set you in a higher position of authority, that you may bring light in dark places. Hear now the benediction. God be in your head and in your understanding God be in your eyes and in your looking God be in your mouth and in your speaking God be in your heart and in your thinking God be at the end of all of your tours

1:17:48 God bless you

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