HomeMy WebLinkAbout20201216 KPD honors 93rd Recruit Class graduates
THE COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: December 16, 2020
KAUA‘I POLICE DEPARTMENT
TODD G. RAYBUCK, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-1600
Fax (808) 241-1604
KPD honors 93rd Police Recruit Class graduates
LĪHU‘E – The Kaua‘i Police Department held a small, socially distanced ceremony on
Tuesday for its 93rd Police Recruit Class graduates.
Maria Gabi Esaki, Jon Garcia Jr., Christian Haegg, Winford LaRue, Derek
Leyendeckers, Zachariah Smith and Desmond Thain were announced as the department’s 93rd
Recruit Class in the company of their immediate household family members, a few of KPD’s
commanders, as well as special guests including Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami, who was a
guest speaker, Kauaʿi County Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro, Kauaʿi County Council Public
Safety Chair Felicia Cowden and Kauaʿi Police Commission Chair Roy Morita.
“Mahalo and congratulations to the 93rd KPD Recruit Class,” said Mayor Kawakami.
“Choosing to put yourself before others is essential for the safety and well-being of our island. I
commend the graduates and their families for their commitment and sacrifice to serve and
protect our residents and visitors.”
Lieutenant Kenneth P. K. Cummings served as the Master of Ceremonies, and Chief of
Police Todd G. Raybuck expressed congratulatory remarks at Tuesday’s outdoor ceremony at
KPD headquarters in Līhuʿe.
“Today is an exciting day, not just for you because you are being sworn in as police
officers, but also for your families and for me as the Police Chief. One of the greatest honors
bestowed upon me is to present you with your badge and swear you in. The badge you receive
today is a symbol of honor, pride and authority,” said Chief Raybuck. “Being a police officer is a
commitment to serve others, to strengthen relationships with those we work alongside and
those we serve, and to focus our efforts toward enhancing the quality of life for the community
we serve. It is your duty to earn and maintain the respect of our community.”
Special awards were presented to four recruits during the ceremony. Esaki and Thain
were tied and both received the Physical Fitness Award for demonstrating a high level of
physical abilities on a consistent basis during their training. Haegg received the Marksmanship
Award for an outstanding skill level in firearms proficiency and safe handling. LaRue was
honored as the Most Outstanding Recruit for excelling in all areas of the rigorous training while
building camaraderie in the group.
The graduation began with an invocation by Police Chaplain Kevin Cram and concluded
with the ceremonial pinning of badges by household family members, followed by the recruits
taking a police officer oath in front of the audience.
During the ceremony, the recruits expressed gratitude toward their families and fellow
classmates for their support, as well as their training cadre, including retired Lieutenant Todd
Tanaka, Sergeant Alan Santella and Sergeant Len Nitta, for their wealth of knowledge and
expertise.
The ceremony was made possible by the collective efforts of several individuals within
the department, such as Lieutenant Cummings, Sergeant Darla Nonaka, Sergeant Lance
Okasaki and Officer Morris Unutoa.
The police recruit graduation ceremony is the culmination of six months of classroom
and reality-based training. Following graduation, each police services officer was assigned a
field training officer to shadow for the next four months. Upon successful completion of the 16-
week program, the officers will be released from training to assume patrol assignments.
For more information on becoming a Kaua‘i police officer, visit KPD’s website at
www.kauai.gov/police or call 241-1646.
Photos courtesy of KPD: 93rd Police Recruit Class graduation ceremony photos.
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