36 new police officers report for duty today

Thirty-six new police officers will be reporting for duty beginning today after taking their oath of office at the Multi-Purpose Center yesterday in a ceremony that was capped by a power outage.

The 19th Police Cycle Academy graduates were led by class valedictorian Tarimai Joseph K. Yangetmai and Salutatorian Gabriel M. Manglona.

Aside from Yangetmai and Manglona, the eight other graduates who made it to the top 10 were Tito S. Hocog II, Perry K. Mesngon, NamHoon Norris Kwon, Herbert C. Borja, Vince T. Palacios, Roger V. Igisomar, Peter H. Palacios Jr. and Jasmine M. King.

Mesngon and Thelma Mizer were given the award for most physically fit while Kelani Vincent B. Pangelinan was the Top Gun and Shaw Clay Dlc. Taisacan was awarded with the Baby Pedro Memorial Award.

In a first for the Academy, cadets from the Federated States of Micronesia joined the new batch of police officers.

Supreme Court Justice Alexandro C. Castro administered the new officers’ oath of office.

Before that, officer-in-charge POIII Frankie S. Pangelinan presented the class to the audience that included top government officials and the cadets’ families.

In his opening remarks, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Santiago Tudela reminded the new police officers that the Academy was where they were trained to become professionals.

“With your graduation today, it signifies your dedication and determination to serve the public,” Tudela said.

He told them that their training has given them necessary knowledge and skills to apply when enforcing and upholding the laws.

“However, always be reminded that what you learned in this training program only provides you with the basic knowledge. Performing your duty out in public will provide you with greater experience and real life situation,” he said.

Tudela also thanked the families of the graduates for their untiring support and understanding while the cadets were undergoing the four-month rigorous training.

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, in his graduation address, congratulated the new officers, saying he is proud of their persistence and determination to successfully complete the grueling program.

“I appreciate the many physical and mental demands and challenges you encountered throughout this program and I commend you all for staying the course and making it through the cycle,” Fitial said.

He told the graduates that they are assets to the community and the community depends on them to uphold and enforce the law and protect the peace.

“Your community expects and trusts you to carry out your duties and uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism,” he said.

The governor thanked DPS for its efforts to produce such fine graduates despite limited resources and in view of the personnel shortage suffered by the government due to the military deployment of many regular officers.

“I am confident that these new graduate will serve our community well,” he said.

The governor was joined by other guests of honor, including Saipan Mayor Juan S. Tudela, Attorney General Gregory Baka, Labor Secretary Gilbert San Nicolas, Rota DPS resident director John Barcinas, Special Assistant for Administration Esther Fleming, and Public Auditor Michael Pai.

In his valedictory speech, Yangetmai said he is relieved that the cadets survived the long lectures, the sleepless nights of study and all the stressful tests and endured the intense physical training and the body aches that followed, as well as the pains of the survival course.

“We’ve been provided the knowledge, tools, trainings and advice that we need in order to do our jobs safely and effectively. But that does not mean that we’ve learned everything because there is a lot more to learn in this profession,” he said.

The complete list of graduates are: [B]Saipan[/B]—Nathan S. Bermudes, Sabino P. Cabrera, Jonathan Roland SN. Decena, Josef P. Deleon Guerrero, Rodolfo S. Hermosilla, Buddy S. Igitol, Antonio I. Kaipat, Jasmine M. King, NamHoon Norris Kwon, Joseph C. Muna, Ruby Jean C. Oxales, Vince T. Palacios, Ke;ani Vincent B. Pangelinan, Patrick P. Sablan, Alexander T. Sakisat, Arnold I. Sarapio, Maverick M. Saures, Carl K. Tudela, Jesus Jonathan K. Wabol, and Tarimai Josepk K. Yengetmai.

[B]Tinian[/B]—Jason Jay N. Ayuyu, Herbert C. Borja, Kioni C. Cruz, Peter H. Palacios Jr., and Lepn I. Sanchez Jr.
[B] Rota[/B]—Tito S. Hocog II, Gabriel M. Manglona, Perry K. Mesngon, and Shaw Clay Dlc. Taisacan.

[B]Office of the Public Auditor[/B]—Thelma M. Mizer.
[B] Attorney General Investigative Unit[/B]—Roger V. Igisomar.
[B] Division of Labor[/B]—John Henry I. Igisomar.
[B] Yap Police[/B]—Michael Defan, Kevin D. Lukagfinay, John V. Runpong, and Peter T. Tithinfal.