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evening can you hear me good evening ladies and gentlemen welcome to the graduation Academy class for the Volusia sheriff's office 02. at this time I would like to introduce Sheriff Michael J Chitwood in the Command Staff [Applause] okay foreign good evening my name is Captain Bosco the commander of training I am honored to welcome you to the second graduation of the Volusia Sheriff's Office training academy please stand while we welcome our graduating class foreign foreign [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] what happened [Music] [Music] thank you [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] roll up all right [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] foreign standing for the presentation of our colors okay now thank you oh say can you see by the dawn's early light what so proudly we igh at the twilight's last gleaming whose broad stripes and bright stars through the peril ous five or the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming and the rockets red glass [Music] bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh say does that Star Spangled Banner that way [Music] or the land of the free and the whole home of the Bridge [Music] let's pray our most gracious Heavenly Father we thank you for what this day represents it's a celebration but it's also a time for a charge Romans chapter 13 of your word we read that the authorities that exist or ordained by God are established by God and that these fine folks who are going to take on a mission that is more than just a job but a calling they're going to need your help so we ask God that you would give them your wisdom when they are facing challenges we ask you to give them your strength when they need it we ask you to be with them and their families and give them your peace and God at the end of every day may they return home knowing they were out there working for you so bless the time that we're going to enjoy together tonight and we thank you for all who have come to honor them as we honor you in Jesus name I pray amen please be seated ladies and gentlemen Sheriff okay good evening ah come on this is your graduation we've got to be a little louder than that good evening there we go I like to hear that uh before we get started I want to I want to tell you a little bit about the Sheriff's Office and how we got to this point that we are at right now uh first we are the police department for the City of Deltona for the Barry for the city for the towns of Pearson and Oak Hill so it's kind of a unique setup that we have here it's also an honor and a privilege so that you men know when you get out there to serve the citizens of these communities not only the county but these folks were part of their government when you get assigned to Deltona or DeBary or Pearson or Oak Hill so treat it like it's your own back in uh 2017 when I first took office the Sheriff's Office was facing double digit vacancies and of course the unrest that had happened those double digits climbed to nearly 80 vacancies and the way the State of Florida is set up now uh you go to a state academy we'll pick on Daytona State College I'm not picking on him but I'm going to pick on him you go there you pay three thousand dollars you may or may not graduate 45 percent of our graduates are unemployable and then all the police departments in Volusia County try to recruit you well that model when Kobe Kane clearly told everybody up on the stage that this we can't do this anymore we're not attracting quality recruits we're not keeping up with attrition it's becoming pretty dangerous that deputies have their days off canceled constantly to work the street and fill the voids so we approached our state senator Tom Wright who is a tremendous friend to law enforcement First Responders and Military vets and said Senator I know you got a good report with the governor we need help we need our own Academy and the senator took the ball and ran with it there were a bunch of hearings that were held and eventually we got granted permission to have our own Academy and now we had a scramble to get it together you know I have to have the instructors we have to have certified uh classrooms and training ranges and every you name it we are now the academy so we worked on paying benefits we worked on recruiting the senator was fantastic my Foundation was cheered by John Hamlin who's a local businessman and along with the senator went out and raised a quarter of a million dollars to renovate the academy to make sure that these folks that were coming through the door had the best equipment the best classrooms and the best people to train them and then off we went class number one graduated on November 30th 2021 there were 21 folks in that class tonight we are graduating 18. and in September we have a class of 23 ready to go so I I really want to salute [Applause] and this wouldn't became the fruition without Senator white uh getting us through the governor and then uh John Hamlin making sure that he rounded up business people to talk about how important this recruitment drive and what the equipment they needed was but I do want to gloat a little bit with the academy staff there is nothing better in the world when somebody tells you you can't do something we've always done it this way and your organization isn't as good as you think it is well when you meet these young men that you tonight and from class number one you're going to find out I think we have one hell of an organization with one hell of a lot of group of people that are in it [Applause] we have special uh residential FBI agent out of Jacksonville Greg Federico it's I'm so proud that he's here he's a newbie here uh he's launching something that's even going to help us even further with recruiting tomorrow morning we're partnering with the FBI and we're hosting a Collegiate Academy at our training center 50 students have been invited 90 applied to come we can only seat 50. and these folks are from Bethune cookman Daytona State Emery riddle Flagler College Nova Southeastern Stetson and UCF so we're going to try to feed them a dose of that they want to work for the county or that they want to work for the feds and quite quite frankly you guys got into black eye in the news lately so we may win this recruiting battle I want to recognize some really special guests tonight we have a group of elected officials from throughout all the cities and County officials that are here so if I call your name can you stand up and hold your applause to the end these folks have been huge supporters of the Sheriff's Office since the time I took sheriff in January 2017 took the office uh from the battery we have City Commissioner of Bill cell I will tell you a little bit about Bill he's an Eagles fan just like me we are both Philadelphia uh folks vice mayor of the Barry Phyllis beauton Phyllis thank you the town of Pearson councilwoman Sergio cardias did I say that right because the last graduation I butchered here Oak Hill vice mayor Bill Lynn Lau uh Belton commissioner I don't think she's here Anita Bradford Deltona commissioner Lauren King Deltona commissioner Dana cool Deltona commissioner Victor Ramos I don't know if the Deltona commissioner Sosa is here or not uh uh beltona vice mayor Maritza Marissa Maritza sorry Maritza peanut butter I had peanut butter it's my fault I know I'm not gonna hear the end of it Moritz Maritza you got it Deltona mayor Heidi hertzberg I don't know if County councilman Danny Robbins came in yet or not uh County Council Vice chair Barbara gertman I don't know if the county chair is here um uh our foundation board chairman John Hamlin uh FDLE field rep Gary kimple Gary are you here Gary Keeps Us on a straight and narrow there's so much paperwork to do this and last but not least our state senator Tom Wright [Applause] when the first day I told this class you may think August 25th is never coming trust me it's coming so we would like to show you a video presentation uh is there any bleeper footage in this captain or we just let it go we're good we didn't bleep anything out okay so anyway uh scoop wherever you're at Roy [Music] go ahead now get it started [Music] I got one I got one show me your hands [Music] for students because they're all the hard work you put in is almost there keep your foot on the gas pedal and stay focused on that August 2015. [Music] 00 [Music] [Applause] [Music] open the driver's door [Music] oh okay behind your back [Music] getting back to us out of my voice to it now [Music] and where's your house located [Music] [Music] go ahead in the car right now let's try to run I didn't do anything [Music] [Music] from where [Music] you're underneath across your feet all right raise your right hand and repeat after me I state your name do solemnly swear or affirm foreign is no pressure back there uh where are you here captain they they class number one graduated on my birthday November 30th class number two has the honor of honoring Captain McDaniel so if you'll join me his first name is Kyle let's let's really humiliate him okay all right here we go one two three happy birthday to you happy birthday to you happy birthday dear Kyle happy birthday to you and as they say paybacks are you can thank your chief foreign Court will now present the Class Awards good evening I'm Sergeant John Court the academy class coordinator and Lead training advisor to Echo the sentiments of Command Staff our first Academy class set the bar high and class 0-2 raised it a peg higher these new deputies have performed remarkably well far surpassing our own expectations in recognition for the hard work and Relentless effort these deputies have shown that throughout the last 28 weeks please join me in another round of applause again the following awards are in recognition of the top performer in each of the respective categories for top driver academic Excellence physical fitness Top Gun class leader and overall Top Cop in selecting the recipient of each award we have taken into consideration the overall performance to include qualification scores grade point averages leadership traits and overall dependability the first award is for top driver in selecting this recipient we took into consideration their fastest lap speed and their overall performance at the driving track in the safe and effective operation of their issued Patrol vehicle I would like to recognize Deputy Cody Forster for being the top driver [Applause] I don't think so academic standards for FDLE are extremely high they mandate all students must achieve an 80 or better on every exam to achieve a passing score this next award has won that in my mind is one of the hardest to achieve the award for academic Excellence is presented to the deputy with the highest academic average throughout the entirety Academy including 16 written exams which totals over 1600 questions this specific Deputy achieved a perfect score of 100 on eight of those 16 exams with an overall academic average of 97.89 I'd like to present the award for academic Excellence to Deputy Timothy Gibbons [Applause] throughout the academy these deputies underwent a rigorous physical training regimen the training staff did our best to ensure that they are physically prepared to begin to begin their careers in law enforcement while laying the foundation for continued physical fitness throughout their careers as a whole the class improved on every aspect of the physical fitness test over the course of 28 weeks I'd like to recognize this next Deputy who maintained the highest physical fitness scores throughout the entirety of the academy including the mile and a half run in nine minutes 55 seconds a 28 inch vertical jump 52 sit-ups in one minute 300 meter run in 47 seconds and a staggering 104 push-ups congratulations to Deputy Pierce Acosta [Applause] what keep them over here these graduating deputies were privileged enough to receive some of the best firearms training in the state our range staff supplemented by accomplished Firearms instructors and members of our SWAT team poured their hearts into ensuring these deputies not only met the standard but far surpassed it it is because of them that we can proudly say every Deputy passed the FDA Lee Firearms qualification a feat not normally achieved by most academies in the state the deputy with the highest Firearms qualification score who also who also proved to be the best competition shooter within the class is Deputy Devin blissett foreign in order to be a good leader one must first be a good follower every one of these new deputies has been trained to be a leader and from this day forward they will be leaders within the community one Deputy in particular was tasked with a little extra responsibility from day one of the academy this Deputy was responsible for accountability of his fellow recruits taking initiative in the absence of orders and acting as a mentor for his class as the primary liaison between training staff at this point I'd like to acknowledge a class leader of Academy class zero two Deputy Pierce Acosta thank you foreign last one guys this last award is reserved for the overall top performer of the class this Deputy is a proven Problem Solver and forward-leaning thinker who always put the needs of his class before that of his own these deputies believe that if they were in a fight for their lives they would find relief knowing the deputy was on the way to back them up this Deputy has earned the overall trust and confidence of being dependable and proficient both tactically and technically chosen by his peers it is my pleasure to present the keys of a brand new Ford Explorer Patrol vehicle too Deputy Pierce Acosta [Applause] don't crash it don't crash I think Sherwood for the commencement commencement speaker not the current rate user going are you enjoying yourself young lady I hope so to the families uh you guys were there for family night and you you got a lay of the land of what to expect from this organization we are a well-funded organization as you can tell by your loved ones we are recruiting really really top-notch individuals and the men to hear you're going to see here in a minute when you get their diploma in their and their loved one pins them with their badge we believe they are the best and the brightest that we could find not only that they are the future of law enforcement in Volusia County as my time grows short their time is just beginning and US folks on the stage will pan that mantle of command over to these classes that we have recruited that we have put our trust and faith and confidence in I will tell each and every one of you that the sheriff's office has been around since about 1890. the badge that's about to get pinned on your chest it means something to everybody who has ever worn this uniform or wore that badge keep that in mind that patch represents the same thing it may change it may change in design but men and women of Honor have worn that and the last thing you put on in your uniform is your name tag for Generations your families have made that name mean something that name that your ancestors and your parents and your grandparents worked hard and strive for to make represent something in America do your best not to dishonor any of those three items on your uniform do your best because at the end of the day we were all born with one thing it's integrity and when you leave this profession and we give you your badge and your gun and they start sending you a paycheck in 25 or 30 years from now you get the old age pension check comes to you you can look in the mirror and say I never compromised my integrity and that's that is a hell of a thing to take with you when you when you walk away and you walk out the door knowing you did the best that you could do every single day my prayer for this class is that every single one of you you have poured your heart and soul into this and every minute I got to talk to you I told you I was so impressed as was the command staff and Captain Bosco will get daily reports on what you guys are doing the instructors they believe in everything that they taught you my hope and dream is that you're here you spend the rest of your career here and maybe in this class there's a chief a division Chief a captain or even the sheriff is sitting in this group not for a while but you know I want to let you know that so I would ask the class if they would stand if you guys would stand folks I think they deserve a standing ovation for everybody in the office for what they've done what they're about to get involved in you guys can turn around turn around turn around and don't sit down yet I want my training staff step step up please everybody's involved in training Sarge Randy come on get up here the whole Training Division these folks work days nights weekends this they realize that what they're doing that's right ladies you guys keep keep us out of trouble with FDLE with all the paperwork these folks realize and there's and there's other deputies that are here tonight that are involved in in the role playing they realize if you do it right the first time when they come through that door if you do it right they're going to be around for a long time we're not going to have scandals we're not going to have the things that occur in other organizations they realize how important their job is and they're here because they believe in our mission they believe in these new deputies and they believe in American policing and doing it the right way so thank you very much for everything that you folks do thank you very much you have a seat I'm done Senator white if you want to start looking your way up to the corner foreign and now for the presentation of the certificates forward peers Acosta foreign [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Joshua graciola [Applause] Timothy Melendez [Applause] [Music] Michael brandstetter [Applause] Devin blissett [Applause] Joseph tardiff thank you Justin De la Rosa [Applause] Andre Johnson foreign [Music] Garcia [Applause] go take a picture go that way go that way just let them push you around Brandon Edwards [Applause] so your certificate [Music] that's funny we have a special award for the deputy that brings the most people to the graduation I think your family got it Siobhan Gardner [Applause] there's always one so you know it was the mayor I watched it I just watched her die on you John barrard [Applause] Timothy Gibbons [Applause] armeen Bora [Applause] Benjamin asby all right get back he's got points Gavin Metz [Applause] thank you oh thanks Madam mayor we do know your tag number Academy Sergeant Court we're now doing the pinning of the badges for the family members that'll be pinning if you'll you'll have to go up to him over there that was just supposed to happen it didn't happen all right yes Deputy Pierce Acosta you'll be pinned by his wife Haley and daughters Julia and Presley yeah it did it did yeah [Applause] oh true it's true Deputy Cody Forster pinned by his father Craig Forester [Applause] [Music] Deputy Joshua karachiola pinned by his father-in-law Volusia Sheriff's Office detective Steve wheeler [Applause] Deputy Timothy Melendez penned by his mother Deborah Melendez [Applause] Deputy Michael randstadter pinned by his daughter Olivia [Applause] Deputy Devon who is it pinned by his father detective Ross blissett [Applause] [Applause] Deputy Joseph tardiff pinned by his wife Shelby tardiff and retired Volusia Sheriff's Office Captain Dave Hinshaw [Applause] foreign Deputy Justin Delarosa pinned by his brother Pasco County Sheriff's Office Deputy Dwight Hemmings thank you Deputy Andre Johnson pinned by his mother Marissa dollins thank you Deputy Randy Garcia pinned by his fiancee Trinity Lugo [Applause] Deputy Brandon Edwards pinned by his wife Erica Edwards [Applause] [Applause] Deputy Diego Arias pinned by his fiancee Amanda alloy [Applause] Deputy Javon Gardner pinned by his nephew kevion Pittman [Applause] [Applause] that's right right hand him an application I already own it already on it sir [Music] we expect to see you up here in about 15 years [Applause] Deputy John Berard pinned by his father John Berard [Applause] whoa Deputy Timothy Gibbons pinned by his grandfather Joel Howell [Applause] Deputy Armine borbor pinned by his mother Valerie borbor [Applause] foreign Deputy Benjamin asby pinned by his mentor Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agent gun drawing [Applause] Deputy Gavin Metz pinned by his fiancee Christina Volante [Applause] [Applause] thank you can I have class two do me a favor and step up and then turn around and look at the audience and if I could have the president of our foundation John Hamlin please step forward for a minute actually you guys got to arrange how we can get everybody in a picture I want to I want to point out we have a sheriff's Foundation uh that John is the president of the foundation is made up of a handful of Business Leaders around Volusia County who raise funds to help us do things that my budget does not come or cover the two big things are training and Technology if you looked at the training video you notice that they were carrying blue firearms uh because they can't carry they couldn't carry a real gun it doesn't shoot but it functions just like the weapons they carry those weapons cost about 400 a weapon that's some of the things that the foundation went out and raised money for Senator Wright was part of that Foundation as well that's why we have such a good footing under us because of people like John Hamlin and Senator Wright Senator you want to jump up here and climb in as well I know I know you got your running for office suit on so thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you just missed the last one last time okay do it now for your service Sergeant Court you want to dismiss the class for one last time how about hey who are we got your class 0-2 yeah Smith I'd like to hear [Music]