Feb 28, 2024 EEDC Special Meeting

[00:03:04]

DAN DIAZ PRESENT SABRINA WALKER HERNANDEZ PRESENT.

AARON RIVERA PRESENT. AND RICHARD GONZALEZ PRESENT.

WOULD YOU ALL PLEASE RISE AND JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE? I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. CERTIFICATION OF PUBLIC NOTICE.

[1. CALL TO ORDER, ESTABLISH A QUORUM]

[A. PledgeofAllegiance.]

[2. CERTIFICATION OF PUBLIC NOTICE]

EVERYTHING BEEN POSTED WITH SUFFICIENT TIME.

YES, MA'AM. WE POSTED THE NOTICE ON FEBRUARY 23RD AT 5:00.

[3. DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST]

CONFLICT OF INTEREST. OMAR.

YES. UNDER STATE LAW, A CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS IF A BOARD MEMBER OR CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THAT PERSON'S FAMILY HAS A QUALIFYING FINANCIAL INTEREST IN AN AGENDA ITEM. IF THERE IS A CONFLICT, THE MEMBER CAN'T PARTICIPATE OR VOTE ON THE

[4. PUBLIC COMMENTS]

ALL RIGHT. PUBLIC COMMENTS.

[5. PRESENTATIONS]

ALL RIGHT THEN, ITEM NUMBER FIVE PRESENTATIONS.

WE HAVE A PRESENTATION OF SPONSORSHIP.

[A. Presentation of Sponsorship check to Edinburg Chamber of Commerce for Fiesta Edinburg 2024 B. Presentation of EEDC contribution check to Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) for FY 2024.]

IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG DAY.

EXCUSE ME. TO THE EDINBURGH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR FIESTA EDINBURGH 2024.

AND I THOUGHT I SAW RONNIE AND THERE'S LISA.

YES. COME ON UP. YOU'RE GIVING ME A CHICK OR RONNIE? NO, IT'S FOR THE CHECK WE GAVE THEM.

SO WE WANT YOU GUYS TO COME DOWN AND TAKE A PICTURE.

ALRIGHTY. ALL RIGHT. RONNIE.

HEY, YOU BETTER CATCH IT QUICK.

IT'S ALREADY BEEN PACKED.

I HAVEN'T HEARD IT IN A WEEK.

[00:05:03]

GOOD EVENING. RONNIE LEONARD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EDINBURGH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE EDINBURGH CVB.

I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

OBVIOUSLY, FIESTA EDINBURG IS AROUND THE CORNER.

IT STARTS TOMORROW FOR THE NEXT FOUR DAYS.

WE GOT A LONG LIST OF ENTERTAINMENT.

WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT, THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE.

THIS IS A HUGE EVENT. AND THANKS TO THE EDC, THE CITY, AND A LOT OF OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS, I DID WANT TO RECOGNIZE ANOTHER TITLE SPONSOR. WE HAVE BERT OGDEN MISS MARSHA GREEN HERE WITH US TODAY.

AND SHE ALSO IS THE VP OF SPECIAL EVENTS FOR OUR CHAMBER BOARD.

SO WE'RE EXCITED, YOU KNOW, FOUR DAYS OF ENTERTAINMENT.

YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE A LOT OF LIVE ENTERTAINMENT.

JOSH TURNER, PAT GREEN SIGNAL JENNIFER PENA AND LUCKY JOE THAT'S HAPPENING INSIDE THE ARENA. BUT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF OUR COMMUNITY FUN IS HAPPENING OUTSIDE THE CARNIVAL. FOOD VENDORS, LUCHA LIBRE WRESTLING, SOME MORE LIVE MUSIC, A LOT OF FOOD STUFF.

AND IT'S ALL FREE ADMISSION TO INTO OUR COMMUNITY.

WHAT TIME DOES IT BEGIN? IT STARTS TOMORROW FROM 5 TO 10.

IT'S THE CARNIVAL ONLY, WHICH IS THURSDAY.

ON MARCH THE 1ST, FROM 5 TO 11 P.M..

AND ON MARCH 2ND, WE HAVE THE PARADE IN DOWNTOWN EDINBURG.

IT STARTS AT 10 A.M., AND IT'S A TEXAS LEGENDS PARADE SALUTING TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY.

AND THEN WE'LL START AGAIN AT THE BERT OGDEN ARENA FROM 2 TO 11 P.M..

SO TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE.

FOR THE CONCERTS, YOU CAN VISIT OK.

COM, VISIT OUR WEBSITE, EDINBURG, OR FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES FOR MORE INFORMATION. SO, AND IT'S THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY, RIGHT? 55TH. 55TH. OKAY, GREAT.

THAT'S CORRECT. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

THE CITY OF EDINBURGH REALLY APPRECIATES IT, AND THEY ENJOY IT.

I APPRECIATE IT. QUESTION FOR YOU. IT'S GOING TO BE COUNTRY MUSIC ON FRIDAY.

CORRECT? AND ARE YOU ALL OFFERING ANY COUNTRY MUSIC, DANCE LESSONS OR ANYTHING BEFORE? I'M SURE WE CAN SQUEEZE ONE IN FOR YOU.

THANK YOU. RONNIE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. RONNIE, I KNOW YOU'RE A VERY SMALL TEAM, BUT YOU DO A TREMENDOUS JOB AND A LOT OF WORK, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

YES, AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE THEM.

WE HAVE NAYELI CENTENO.

SHE'S OUR MARKETING DIRECTOR AND TOURISM DIRECTOR.

WE HAVE DULCE CORTINA ALSO HERE.

THAT'S OUR MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR.

AND WE HAVE IMELDA RODRIGUEZ WHO IS HOLDING DOWN THE FORT AT THE BUILDING.

SO SHE'S OUR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT.

SO OF COURSE, IT TAKES A LOT OF BUSINESS SUPPORT AND VOLUNTEERS AND OF COURSE, THE CITY STAFF TO PUT ON SUCH A HUGE EVENT FOR THE CITY OF EDINBURGH, WHICH WE'RE EXPECTING OVER 25,000 PEOPLE TO BE HERE.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL RIGHT.

SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND. WE'LL SEE YOU.

AND SPEAKING OF ADDITIONAL STAFF, I WANT TO INTRODUCE MISS SAMANTHA MARTINEZ.

SAMANTHA, YOU WANT TO STAND UP? SAMANTHA IS OUR NEW BUSINESS OPERATIONS COORDINATOR.

THIS IS HER SECOND WEEK ON THE JOB.

WELCOME, SAMANTHA. ALL RIGHT.

ITEM B. PRESENTATION OF EDC CONTRIBUTION CHECK TO VALLEY INITIATIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ADVANCEMENT, KNOWN AS VIDA.

AND I SAW THAT WE HAVE COMMISSIONER AZUETA HERE AS WELL AS PHILLIDA VILLARREAL.

COME ON UP. AND WE HAVE ANOTHER YOUNG LADY WITH YOU AS WELL.

LET'S GO DOWN AND TAKE A PHOTO.

ARE YOU READY? THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING Y'ALL DO WITH VIDA AND TONY.

I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LIFELONG PASSION OF YOURS.

YEAH. VERY WELL. BEAUTIFUL.

AMANDA. YEAH. YEAH.

OKAY. COME ON OVER.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

[00:10:09]

WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SERVE THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION OF THE CITY OF EDINBURGH WITHOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP THROUGH THIS CONTRACT, WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO CONTINUE THE PARTNERSHIP AND THIS YEAR, 2024, TO BE ABLE TO SERVE AND RECRUIT THESE RESIDENTS FROM OUR COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO UPSKILL AND OBTAIN A COLLEGE DEGREE OR CERTIFICATION.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO EDINBURGH EDC FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND AS YOU AS YOU MET.

WE HAVE OUR BOARD CHAIRMAN, TONY COMMISSIONER TONY AGUIRRE AND AMANDA RODRIGUEZ, WHO IS OUR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE WE REALLY LOVE THE WRAPAROUND SERVICES YOU PROVIDE TO TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE REALLY TRYING TO BETTER THEIR LIVES AND MAKE A BETTER LIVING FOR THEIR FAMILIES, FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. AND SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO SUPPORT IT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU TONY. AND ALSO I'D LIKE TO ALSO ADD THAT EVERY TIME SHE'S DONE PRESENTATIONS HERE, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN ON KEY.

AND SHE DOES A TREMENDOUS JOB. I'M SURE YOU KNOW THAT. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[6. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS]

[A. Consider Approval of Minutes for the Board Meetings held on January 23, 2024 and February 6, 2024.]

HAVE A NICE EVENING. OKAY.

ITEM SIX ON THE REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS, CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE BOARD MEETINGS OF JANUARY 23RD AND FEBRUARY 6TH, SIX, 2024. IF YOU'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE MINUTES, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THEM.

MOTION TO APPROVE. CAN I GET A SECOND? SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE OR RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.

MOTION PASSES. OKAY. AND MEMBERS TONIGHT.

I KNOW WE DO HAVE QUITE A BIT ON THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT THAT'S IT FOR THE OPEN SESSION.

SO CAN I GET A MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION? SO MOVED. SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. OKAY.

IT IS. NOW, IF I CAN GET MY 540.

AND WE ARE GOING TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[7. EXECUTIVE SESSION]

[00:51:26]

[00:51:29]

[00:51:49]

[00:51:50]

[00:51:52]

[00:51:54]

[00:51:59]

[00:52:04]

NOW, TODAY IS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE AS WE OFFICIALLY WELCOME THESE DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS INTO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY.

NOW TO BEGIN, PLEASE RISE FOR THE PRAYER LED BY DAVID ALEXANDER, A MEMBER OF THE EDINBURGH CLERGY AND POLICE PARTNERSHIP.

GOOD MORNING, FATHER GOD.

WE PRAISE YOU FOR TODAY.

WE THANK YOU, LORD, THAT IN YOUR WISDOM YOU DEEMED IT NECESSARY AND WISE TO HAVE THOSE WHO SERVE YOU AS YOUR AGENTS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE, AS YOUR BRANCH HERE ON EARTH.

LORD, TO HELP US, TO SUPPORT US, TO SERVE US.

AND LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THOSE YOU'VE CALLED OUT TO SERVE IN THIS CAPACITY.

LORD, I PRAY FOR THEM THAT YOU WOULD GRANT THEM YOUR WISDOM.

GRANT THEM YOUR PEACE AND LONG SUFFERING AS THEY DEAL WITH VERY TRYING SITUATIONS AND AS THEY RELATE TO US IN THE SCOPE OF OUR LIFE AND ALL THE BAGGAGE THAT WE AS CITIZENS BRING WITH US. LORD, I THANK YOU FOR THE ONE WHO IS BEING PROMOTED FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS AND ENDURANCE AND IN THE MINISTRY OF THE POLICE.

LORD, I PRAY FOR THEIR FAMILIES THAT YOU WOULD CONTINUE TO GRANT THEM YOUR FAVOR IN ALL THINGS, AND GIVE THEM PEACE AS THEIR LOVED ONES ARE SERVING.

LORD, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS EQUIPPING US TO DO WHAT YOU ENTRUST US AND CALL US TO DO. WE GRANT YOU ALL GLORY FOR WHAT WILL OCCUR THIS MORNING IN OUR LIVES THE REST OF TODAY. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.

PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PRESENTATION OF COLORS BY THE EDINBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT HONOR GUARD AND THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, LED BY OFFICER JOE VEGA.

FORWARD MARCH! PLEASE. OH, SAY, CAN YOU SEE.

BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT.

WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED.

AT THE TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING.

WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT.

O'ER THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED.

WERE SO GALLANTLY STREAMING.

AND THE ROCKETS RED GLARE, THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR.

GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE.

[00:55:07]

O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE.

AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES AND TO THE REPUBLIC.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. YOU MAY BE SEATED.

NOW, TO HELP KICK US OFF, HELP ME IN WELCOMING MAYOR RAMIRO GARZA JR TO THE FRONT FOR A FEW WORDS.

MAYOR. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

JUST WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO THIS VERY SPECIAL CEREMONY. TODAY, AS WE CELEBRATE THE PINNING OF ALL THE NEW OFFICERS AND THE PROMOTION, I BELIEVE, OF ONE OFFICER TO BE A SERGEANT.

I WAS THERE AT THE GRADUATION OF THESE FINE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN AND YOU KNOW, IT'S TIME NOW, RIGHT? START MONDAY TO GO OUT ON THE FORCE.

AND I KNOW YOU'VE TRAINED WELL AND ARE READY FOR THIS.

SO TO ALL THE OFFICERS, ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND OUR CITY COUNCIL, CONGRATULATIONS FOR THIS PROCESS, THIS JOURNEY YOU HAVE BEGUN GONE THROUGH HERE WITH OUR CITY AND WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING OUR CITY FAMILY.

AS A GROWING CITY FAMILY, OUR CITY FAMILY, I CALL IT 104,000, BECAUSE THAT'S HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE HERE IN OUR CITY. SO WE CAN'T FUNCTION OR OPERATE AS A CITY WITHOUT PROTECTING AND KEEPING OUR CITY SAFE.

SO THANK YOU FOR EMBARKING ON THIS JOURNEY.

THANK YOU FOR OR SELECTING OUR CITY OF EDINBURG.

AND I WANT TO WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST AS YOU START YOUR JOURNEY HERE WITH US.

TO ALL THE FAMILIES THAT ARE HERE OF THESE OFFICERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF SACRIFICE AND SUPPORT THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PROVIDE.

AND FOR THAT, THE CITY IS GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU, ALL THE FAMILIES THAT ARE HERE SUPPORTING THESE OFFICERS AND THE WORK THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO. AND AS THE CITY, AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW, WE AS A CITY COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ANY EFFORTS, ANY RESOURCES THAT ARE NEEDED TO HELP MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH AND WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST.

MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MAYOR.

NOW, I'D LIKE TO CALL UP COUNCILMAN DAN DIAZ FOR A FEW REMARKS.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. OR AS I'D LIKE TO SAY, BUENOS DIAS TO EVERYONE.

I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE OFFICERS IN UNIFORM.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ARE THE SUPPORT SYSTEM ON THESE OFFICERS. WORKING MS ALL THESE YEARS, I'VE KNOWN HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE WEARING A UNIFORM.

REMEMBER THAT YOU REPRESENT THE POLICE FORCE, THE ENTIRE NATION, THE CITY OF EDINBURGH.

BUT ALSO REMEMBER THAT YOU'RE ALSO A FAMILY MAN OR A BROTHER OR SISTER WHEN YOU WHEN YOU'RE NOT ON DUTY, WHEN YOU TAKE THE UNIFORM OFF, REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE. REPRESENT EVERYONE OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS WITH PRIDE AND DIGNITY ON THE STREET, AND DO YOUR BEST TO TREAT EVERYONE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

I'VE ALWAYS SAID TAKE SPECIAL PEOPLE TO RUN TOWARDS THE FIGHT AND NOT AWAY FROM IT.

AND SO I COMMEND YOU FOR TAKING THE CALLING SHOW OF HANDS.

ANY VETERANS ON THE FORCE OR IN THE GROUP? RAISE YOUR HAND, PLEASE.

I JUST WANT TO SAY HAPPY VETERANS WEEK.

TOMORROW IS VETERANS DAY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

AND TO THAT NOTE, I'LL SAY THAT THE THE POLICE UNIFORM IS MODELED AFTER THE MILITARY.

SO KEEP THAT PRIDE IN YOUR HEART AND YOUR DUTY AND KNOW LIKE THE MAYOR SAID, WE'RE THE CITY COUNCIL IS HERE TO SUPPORT EVERYTHING YOU GUYS DO AND EVERYTHING YOU NEED. I HEARD A QUOTE A LONG TIME AGO THAT CITIES AND COUNTIES AND STATES CAN BUILD ALL THE BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS, STREETS AND EVERYTHING. NONE OF THAT MATTERS IF WE DON'T HAVE LAW AND ORDER.

[01:00:01]

AND I THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THE CALL.

GOD BLESS EVERYONE. THANK YOU.

NOW HELP ME WELCOME COUNCILMAN JASON DELEON.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE OFFICERS FOR OFFICIALLY CLOSING ONE CHAPTER IN YOUR LIFE AND OPENING ANOTHER ONE WITH THESE RESPONSIBILITIES.

I KNOW IT'S GOING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE, BUT NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE FOUNDATION IN YOUR LIVES, WHICH IS YOUR FAMILY.

WHETHER IT'S YOUR WIFE, YOUR PARENTS, YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER, OR EVEN A FRIEND. SO IF WE CAN GIVE YOUR FOUNDATION A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THEIR SACRIFICES.

I WISH YOU ALL NOTHING BUT THE BEST. AND MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NOW, I'D JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE, OF COURSE, OUR MAYOR PRO TEM DAVID WHITE, OUR COUNCILMAN JOHNNY GARCIA, AND OUR CITY MANAGER, MYRA AYALA.

ALL RIGHT, NOW, THANK YOU.

I'M HAPPY TO WELCOME EDINBURG POLICE CHIEF JAIME AYALA WITH HIS OWN WORDS TO SHARE WITH OUR OFFICERS TODAY. AND, OF COURSE, CONTINUE WITH THE PROMOTION OF ONE OF EDINBURGH'S OWN TO SERGEANT.

THANK YOU, SANDRA, AND I'M JUST TRULY HONORED THIS MORNING AS I LOOK AROUND THE ROOM AT THESE NEW CADETS AND TRY TO RECALL WHEN I GOT PINNED BY MY FATHER.

AND I'LL MENTION THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER. BUT I WANT YOU GUYS TO JUST LOOK UP A LITTLE BIT AND LOOK AROUND THE ROOM BEHIND YOU.

THESE ARE MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT ARE HERE TO TO WELCOME YOU AS YOU GET PINNED TODAY, TO ACCEPT YOU, TO KNOW THAT THEY'VE LED THE WAY FOR US, THEY'VE PAVED THE WAY FOR US.

AND I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THEM TAKING TIME OUT OF THEIR DAY TO BE HERE AND BE WITNESS TO TO WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN HERE TODAY. AS YOU GET YOUR BADGE AND YOU MOVE ON, ON IN YOUR CAREER. I WANT TO EXPLICITLY CERTAINLY THANK THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

MAYOR GARZA JUNIOR AND OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN THIS CITY. WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT, IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO ACQUIRE THE EQUIPMENT OR HAVE THE TRAINING OR DO THE THINGS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO TO SERVE IN THE COMMUNITY. AS WE CONTINUE TO INCREASE OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND OUR COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR CLERGY, OUR BUSINESS, OUR BUSINESS, OUR BUSINESSES AND OUR CITIZENS ACROSS THE CITY, WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE CAN DO SO MUCH MORE.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH ALSO FOR BEING HERE AND ALWAYS BEING AROUND.

AND OF COURSE, MYRA AYALA AND JAY SINES, MY BOSS, FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND WHAT THEY DO EACH AND EVERY DAY.

SO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

TODAY WE'RE GOING TO PROMOTE AN OFFICER TO SERGEANT.

AND THIS STEP IS A VERY IMPORTANT TRANSITION, ZACHARY, AS YOU WILL NOW HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OTHERS AS WELL AS YOURSELF.

YOU WILL NOW SUPERVISE THOSE THAT USED TO STAND BESIDE AND WHERE CALLS WITH THEY WILL FOLLOW YOU. I WANT TO REMIND YOU, AS I TYPICALLY DO AT EVERY PROMOTIONAL CEREMONY, YOU RAISED YOUR HAND AND AND YOU SAID, ME, I WANT TO LEAD. I WANT MORE RESPONSIBILITY.

NOBODY FORCED YOU TO TAKE THE TEST.

YOU CHOSE TO DO IT. AND WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU, GUIDE YOU, AND COACH YOU.

THEY'RE VERY A NUMBER OF VETERAN SUPERVISORS THAT WILL BE THERE TO HELP YOU ALONG THE WAY.

BUT KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT YOU ARE NOW ACCEPTING THE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT COMES WITH IT. I ALWAYS LOOK TO A SCRIPTURE THAT IT SAYS TO HE WHO MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS REQUIRED.

SO. SO REMEMBER THAT. IT'S SOMETHING I TRY TO REMEMBER EVERY DAY.

TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS REQUIRED.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT YOU MOVING INTO THIS NEW ASSIGNMENT ON PATROL, AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT YOUR FAMILY'S VERY PROUD TO SEE YOU TAKE THIS NEXT STEP IN YOUR CAREER. LEAD WITH ENTHUSIASM, INTEGRITY, AND PASSION.

WATCH OUT FOR YOUR TROOPS.

SUPPORT THEM. TAKE CARE OF THEM AND THEY WILL WORK HARD FOR YOU.

VIEW. NOW AS WE MOVE ON TO TO THE BADGE PINNING, I WANT TO FIRST TALK ABOUT FAMILY BECAUSE EACH OF YOU OFFICERS HAVE A FAMILY AT HOME.

SOME OF US HAVE ONE PARENT, SOME OF US HAVE TWO PARENTS.

SOME OF US HAD IT EASIER THAN OTHERS.

SOME HAD TO WORK HARDER FOR WHAT WE WHAT WE GOT OR WHERE WE'RE AT TODAY.

BUT NOW YOU'VE NOW JOINED A BLUE FAMILY AS WELL, A CITY THAT IS EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THEY'RE THERE FOR YOU, TO SUPPORT YOU.

WE AS A DEPARTMENT ARE THERE TO CONTINUE TO GROW OUR FAMILY AND GROW OUR RELATIONSHIPS AMONGST EACH OTHER. BECAUSE SOMETIMES FAMILY DOESN'T GET ALONG,

[01:05:04]

A WORD TO OUR OFFICERS FAMILIES.

AS YOU HEARD MENTIONED EARLIER.

YOUR FAMILY HAS GROWN.

YOU'RE NOW PART OF OUR DEPARTMENT WITH YOUR LOVED ONE JOINING THE EDINBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOUR LOVED ONE IS READY.

IF THEY WERE NOT READY AND THEY HAD NOT DEMONSTRATED PROFICIENCY IN ACADEMICS, PHYSICAL FITNESS OR TACTICALLY, THEY WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.

OUR TRAINING COMMANDER AND REGIMENT HAS EMPHASIZED THEIR PROFICIENCY AND THAT THEY'RE READY TO MOVE ON. I MENTIONED MY FATHER EARLIER.

I RECALL THE DAY THAT HE PINNED MY BADGE ON ME.

IT WASN'T AS NICE AS THIS THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING TODAY.

WE WENT TO THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE.

THERE WAS FIVE OF US. AND IT WAS EXTREMELY INFORMAL SWEARING IN.

I HAVE PICTURES OF HIM PINNING THE BADGE ON ME, BUT I KNEW THAT MY DAD WAS WORRIED.

MY DAD DID NOT WANT ME TO JOIN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND WHEN HE. WHEN HE LEARNED THAT I BECAME A RESERVE OFFICER IN EDINBURGH, AND THIS IS WHAT I WANTED TO DO FOR FOR MY CAREER.

HE TRIED TO ENCOURAGE ME TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

IN HIS MIND, I BELIEVE THAT HE DIDN'T THINK I WAS READY TO HOLD MY OWN AS HE PINNED MY BADGE ON THAT DAY, AND I WAS SO HAPPY THAT MY ACADEMY TRAINER MADE IT A POINT TO LET HIM KNOW THAT I WAS READY, AND IT REALLY MADE MY FATHER.

I COULD SEE THE PROUDNESS IN HIS FACE, HIS REACTION THAT SOMEONE WOULD TELL HIM THAT I WAS READY TO GO OUT ON THE STREET AND HOLD MY OWN.

NOW I WANT YOU ALL TO LOOK AT THIS JOB NOT AS A JOB, BUT AS AN OPPORTUNITY.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE POWER THAT NO OTHER CITIZEN HAS.

THE ABILITY TO TAKE SOMEONE'S RIGHTS FROM THEM, SECURE THEM, AND TRANSPORT THEM TO A FACILITY PENDING GOING BEFORE A JUDGE.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE, BUT YOU MUST SERVE WITH DIGNITY AND HONOR ALL OF THE TIME. ASK YOURSELF AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY DAY, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO TODAY TO MAKE EDINBURGH GREAT? AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, ASK YOURSELF, WHAT DID I DO TODAY TO MAKE EDINBURGH GREAT? BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE'RE HERE TO DO.

THAT IS WHAT WE'RE HERE TO STRIVE FOR.

IT'S NOT TO WRITE TICKETS.

IT'S NOT TO MAKE ARRESTS.

IT'S TO WORK WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND ADDRESS THE SOCIAL ILLS THAT ARE AMONGST US.

AND IN THAT SERVICE COMES GREAT REWARDS.

SO TACKLE EVERY DAY WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE, REGARDLESS OF YOUR ASSIGNMENT.

YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOUR SERGEANT HAS YOU DOING TODAY, BUT TACKLE IT WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE.

A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS.

ONE THING I'VE LEARNED ABOUT THIS VERY NOBLE PROFESSION IS THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE ACCEPTED IS REAL. IT IS A VERY SERIOUS JOB THAT OFFERS GREAT SATISFACTION.

UNFORTUNATE STRUGGLES AS WE FACE THE ADVERSITY OF HUMAN LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

BUT WE AND YOU HAVE A FRONT ROW SEAT TO THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH.

YOU WILL SEE AND EXPERIENCE THINGS THAT YOU COULD HAVE NEVER IMAGINED.

YOU WILL COLLECT HILARIOUS EVENTS IN WHICH YOU WILL SHARE WITH YOUR FELLOW OFFICERS, AND YOU'LL GO HOME AND SHARE WITH YOUR FAMILY, BECAUSE THEY WON'T BELIEVE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE. BUT YOU WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE A REFEREE IN A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE, TRYING TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION AS TO HOW WE'RE GOING TO PRESS FORWARD AND WHAT RESOURCES WE CAN GET THOSE FAMILIES THAT ARE IN NEED.

AND WE HAVE PLENTY OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO HELP.

YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE AN ARREST ON SOMEONE THAT MIGHT BE STRUGGLING IN LIFE AND MADE A POOR DECISION, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE JOB IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON THE FRONT LINE AND SERVE THIS COMMUNITY.

AS MR. DIAZ MENTIONED, COUNCILMAN DIAZ MENTIONED EARLIER, THERE ARE NOT MANY PEOPLE THAT YOU SEE RUNNING TO THE FIRE, YOU SEE MANY PEOPLE RUNNING AWAY FROM THE FIRE.

AND AS YOU WATCH VIDEO FROM ACCOUNTS OF ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY, WHEN THINGS ARE GOING BAD OR THERE'S AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SOMEWHERE AND PEOPLE ARE RUNNING AWAY FOR COVER, YOU SEE THE COPS RUNNING TO ADDRESS THE THREAT. THAT IS WHAT YOU ASKED TO DO.

THAT IS WHAT YOU WERE CALLED TO DO.

AND YOU ACCEPTED THAT CALL.

AND FOR THAT, I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR EACH ONE OF YOU.

I'M IN MY 35TH YEAR IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND I UNDOUBTEDLY WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.

I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE NOW IN TWO COMMUNITIES, ONE AWAY FROM HOME AND ONE WHERE I GREW UP, AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY A PHENOMENAL OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO SERVE IN MY HOMETOWN.

I WANT EACH OF YOU TO SEIZE THIS MOMENT.

[01:10:02]

WEAR IT PROUDLY AND DO NOT DO ANYTHING TO TARNISH THE BADGE.

LASTLY, WEAR YOUR VEST, WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT AND WATCH YOUR SPEED.

YOU OWE IT TO YOUR FAMILY.

CONGRATULATIONS. I'M EXTREMELY PROUD OF YOU.

AND GODSPEED. THANK YOU, CHIEF AYALA.

NOW, IF I COULD HAVE SERGEANT SAENZ JOIN MYSELF AND CHIEF AYALA AT THE FRONT.

ZACHARY. ACHILLES SIGNS.

SERGEANT ZACHARY ACHILLES SIGNS IS MARRIED TO HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE, JACQUELINE. HE STARTED WITH THE EDINBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT IN APRIL 2017.

FROM DECEMBER 2017 TO AUGUST 2022, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE PATROL DIVISION, WHERE HE HELD THE TITLES OF FIELD TRAINING OFFICER AND INTOXILYZER OPERATOR.

IN AUGUST 2022, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION AS A JUVENILE INVESTIGATOR SERGEANT SIGNS CURRENTLY HOLDS AN ADVANCED PEACE OFFICER CERTIFICATION FROM THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HE EARNED HIS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY WITH A MINOR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, RIO GRANDE VALLEY.

HE IS CURRENTLY ATTENDING WALDEN UNIVERSITY'S MASTER'S PROGRAM IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, WHERE HE HOPES TO END THE STIGMA OF MENTAL HEALTH IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSION AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

HIS MOTIVATION TO LEAD HIS FELLOW OFFICERS DOWN A PATH OF SUCCESS COMES FROM HIS FATHER'S LEADERSHIP ROLE AS A STAFF SERGEANT IN THE US ARMY, AND HIS FATHER IN LAW'S POSITION AS A SUPERVISORY BOARD PATROL AGENT, NOW WITH THE OATH OF OFFICE CHIEF AYALA.

ZACHARY, IF YOU WOULD RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. I STATE YOUR NAME.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF POLICE OFFICER.

OF THE CITY OF EDINBURGH, HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS.

AND WILL DO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY TO PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND. PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES. AND OF THIS STATE.

AND I FURTHERMORE SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

THAT I HAVE NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY.

PAID, OFFERED OR PROMISED TO PAY.

CONTRIBUTED NOR OFFERED TO CONTRIBUTE.

ANY MONEY OR VALUABLE THING.

OR PROMISED. ANY PUBLIC OFFICE.

OR EMPLOYMENT AS A REWARD FOR THE CONSIDERATION TO THE OFFICE OF WHICH I WAS APPOINTED. SO HELP ME GOD.

CONGRATULATIONS.

NOW, WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OATH OF HONOR, ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF MICHAEL CERDA.

OKAY, ZACH. RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AGAIN. ON MY HONOR, I WILL NEVER BETRAY MY INTEGRITY, MY CHARACTER, OR THE PUBLIC TRUST. I WILL TREAT ALL INDIVIDUALS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY COMMUNITY AND THE PRESERVATION OF HUMAN LIFE.

I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE COURAGE TO HOLD MYSELF AND OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS.

I WILL ALWAYS MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS.

AND UPHOLD THE VALUES OF MY COMMUNITY AND THE AGENCY I SERVE.

CONGRATULATIONS, SERGEANT.

NOW, CHIEF AYALA WILL PRESENT SERGEANT SAENZ WITH HIS BADGE.

NOW, IF I COULD HAVE SERGEANT SAENZ FAMILY UP AT THE FRONT TO HELP PIN HIS BADGE.

[01:15:31]

THANK YOU. AND CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN TO SERGEANT SCIENCE.

TO CONTINUE WITH OUR PROGRAM, I'D LIKE TO CALL UP OUR TRAINING COORDINATOR, LIEUTENANT ROBERT VALLEJO.

YEAH. ONCE AGAIN. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

THE 13 OFFICERS BEFORE US TODAY HAVE GONE THROUGH A LENGTHY PROCESS TO ARRIVE AT THIS POINT, WHICH BEGAN OVER A YEAR AGO.

THEY PASSED AN ENTRY LEVEL WRITTEN EXAM AND A PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT.

THEY UNDERWENT A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION WHICH FOUND THEM NOT TO BE PERFECT, BUT THEY WERE ALL DETERMINED TO BE OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER AND WORTHY OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE INTERVIEWED BY OUR CHIEFS.

FROM THERE ON TO THE ACADEMY, AND MANY HOURS OF STUDYING STATE AND CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS AND VARIOUS OTHER TOPICS, AFTER GRADUATING AND PASSING THE STATE EXAM, THEY OFFICIALLY BECAME CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICERS AND THAT EARNED THEM THE RIGHT TO GET BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM AND DO MORE READING TO LEARN OUR POLICIES, PROCEDURES, CITY ORDINANCES, AND WHEN UNDER TRAININGS AS PART OF THEIR ORIENTATION. THEY ARE CURRENTLY ENJOYING SCENARIO WEEK. THEY WILL START THEIR FIELD TRAINING NEXT WEEK WHERE THEY WILL BE THEY WILL START THEIR FIELD TRAINING ALONGSIDE SOME OF THE FINEST OFFICERS NEXT WEEK THAT OUR DEPARTMENT HAS TO OFFER.

ALL THIS TO PREPARE THEM, TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY, TO PROTECT THIS COMMUNITY.

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT HAS HELPED IN GETTING THESE OFFICERS TO THIS POINT. THANK YOU TO OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, OUR BACKGROUND INVESTIGATORS, ALL OUR TRAINING INSTRUCTORS, AND OUR FIELD TRAINING OFFICERS.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO ELISA FIGUEROA, WHO HAS BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON EACH OF THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR TIME AT THE TRAINING CENTER. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR EFFORT AND DETERMINATION.

YOU WILL NOW WEAR OUR PATCH AND OUR BADGE REPRESENTING THIS GREAT CITY OF EDINBURGH.

THE PATCH AND BADGE THAT YOU WILL WEAR ALSO REPRESENTS THE MANY MEN AND WOMEN THAT HAVE WORN IT BEFORE YOU. IT IS A PRIVILEGE THAT I HOPE YOU ALL RESPECT.

SO WEAR THEM WITH PRIDE AND PLEASE DO NOT BRING SHAME TO THEM.

I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU ALL MANY TIMES NOW, SOME VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATIONS ALONG THE WAY, AND ALWAYS WITH THE INTENT TO HELP YOU IMPROVE, TO PREPARE YOU FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF YOUR CAREER. NOW, AS WE WELCOME YOU INTO A DEPARTMENT AS POLICE OFFICERS, I ONCE AGAIN ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEEK OUT THE BEST. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THOSE THAT WILL HELP YOU SUCCEED.

YOU WILL LEARN THAT OUR DEPARTMENT AND OUR CITY HAS SOME PRETTY AMAZING PEOPLE. YOU WILL BUILD GREAT FRIENDSHIPS.

YOU WILL FIND ADVERSITY.

YOU WILL DEFINITELY BE TESTED.

BUT IF YOU DO YOUR JOB RIGHT, IF YOU PUT IN THE EFFORT, YOU WILL BE REWARDED.

SO I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ONE OF YOU BEFORE.

THERE. IS HE? THERE YOU GO.

AND YOU MADE THE STATEMENT THAT I WOULD ONE DAY APPRECIATE YOU.

WELL, I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU.

NOW, I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORT AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO STAND BEFORE US TODAY TO TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING AN EDINBURGH POLICE OFFICER. AS YOU TAKE ON THIS HONOR OF BEING CALLED AN EDINBURGH POLICE OFFICER, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO BE PRIDEFUL BUT NOT ARROGANT. BE COURAGEOUS BUT NOT RECKLESS.

I WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST.

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME TO EDINBURGH P.D..

THANK YOU, LIEUTENANT VALLEJO.

NOW TO INTRODUCE OUR FIRST GROUP OF OFFICERS BEFORE THEIR BADGE PINNING OUR TRAINING, SERGEANT JAMES RAMIREZ.

GOOD MORNING. I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYBODY HERE ON THIS OCCASION AS WE INTRODUCE THESE

[01:20:05]

BRAND NEW. READY TO ROCK AND ROLL OFFICERS.

SO I'M GOING TO BE CALLING THEM UP ONE BY ONE AND READING OUT THEIR BIO.

SO TO START OFF WITH RANDY, ADAM.

RANDY ADAM, A NATIVE OF PHARR, TEXAS, GRADUATED FROM PSG NORTH EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF 2017.

HE IS THE SON OF JOSE ANGEL AND MYRA.

RANDY IS HAPPILY MARRIED TO ANA ELISA DELGADO AND TOGETHER THEY HAVE A DAUGHTER NAMED VIOLET OLIVIA. HIS DECISION TO PURSUE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS DRIVEN BY A DEEP DESIRE TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN HIS COMMUNITY.

RANDY BELIEVES THAT EVERY DAY PRESENTS NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP THOSE IN NEED AND SERVE HIS COMMUNITY THROUGH HIS WORK IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

STEVE BLAKE STEVE BLAKE, A PROUD NATIVE OF MCALLEN, TEXAS, GRADUATED FROM MCALLEN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL IN THE CLASS OF 2010.

HIS COMMITMENT TO HIS COMMUNITY LED HIM TO PURSUE A DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, RIO GRANDE VALLEY, WHERE HE GRADUATED CLASS OF 2017.

HIS DEDICATION TO SERVING AND PROTECTING HIS COMMUNITY EXTENDS TO HIS PERSONAL LIFE AS WELL. STEVE IS HAPPILY MARRIED TO AMY BLAKE AND TOGETHER THEY ARE RAISING A SON NAMED RYAN ALEXANDER BLAKE. HE IS THE SON OF GEORGE AND ENRIQUETA DENETTE.

STEVE'S PASSION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT STEMS FROM HIS DESIRE TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON PEOPLE'S LIVES, ENSURING SAFETY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

OSCAR ESCAMILLA OSCAR ESCAMILLA.

A PROUD NATIVE OF BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, GRADUATED FROM PIAGET NORTH EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF 2017.

FOLLOWING HIS HIGH SCHOOL JOURNEY, HE PURSUED HIGHER EDUCATION AT SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE, WHERE HE EARNED AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

BORN TO OSCAR ESCAMILLA AND VERONICA ELIZONDO, MOTIVATED BY A DEEP SENSE OF DUTY, OSCAR CHOSE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AS A MEANS TO PROVIDE A VOICE FOR THOSE WHO ARE HESITANT OR UNABLE TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES. HIS COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY REFLECTS HIS UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

MATTHEW GARCIA. MATTHEW GARCIA, A PROUD NATIVE OF EDINBURG AND A GRADUATE OF ROBERT VELA HIGH SCHOOL IN 2013, SERVED HIS COUNTRY WITH HONOR IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY. BORN TO RALPH AND JANIE GARCIA, HE CHERISHES HIS ROLE AS A FATHER TO MASON AND MIA GARCIA. MATTHEW IS HAPPILY MARRIED TO MARIA RODRIGUEZ.

GROWING UP, MATTHEW WAS DEEPLY INFLUENCED BY HIS FATHER'S DEDICATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HE WITNESSED HIS FATHER'S PASSION AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO KEEPING THE COMMUNITY SAFE, WHICH INSPIRED HIM TO FOLLOW IN THOSE HEROIC FOOTSTEPS.

MATTHEW GARCIA IS NOW DEDICATED TO SERVING AND PROTECTING HIS COMMUNITY, JUST LIKE HIS FATHER. JEREMY GUERENA.

JEREMY GAUDINO, A RIO GRANDE CITY NATIVE.

CLASS OF 2018 GRADUATE FROM PREPARATORY FOR EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL.

HE EARNED AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE IN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES AT SOUTH TEXAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE. SON OF PATRICK GORDON AND TINA WILSON.

JEREMY'S PASSION FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE LED HIM TO PURSUE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, FOCUSING ON INFLUENCING PEOPLE'S LIVES POSITIVELY.

CHRISTOPHER GUZMAN. CHRISTOPHER GUZMAN, HAILING FROM SAN JUAN, TEXAS, IS A DEDICATED INDIVIDUAL WITH A PASSION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HE GRADUATED FROM EMPORIA HIGH SCHOOL IN KANSAS AS PART OF THE CLASS OF 2015.

CHRISTOPHER WENT ON TO EARN HIS BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, RIO GRANDE VALLEY IN THE CLASS OF 2021.

RAISED BY HIS PARENTS, GUZMAN AND DAHLIA PINEDA, HE IS ENGAGED TO YARITZA BURIAL.

HE ASPIRES TO BE A SHINING EXAMPLE TO ALL, SHOWCASING THE IMPORTANCE OF INTEGRITY, COMPASSION AND DEDICATION IN THIS FIELD.

RAYMOND HAND. RAYMOND HAND, A NATIVE FROM EL PASO, ATTENDED IDEA SAN BENITO, GRADUATING IN 2017.

HE EARNED A DEGREE IN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES FROM UTRGV IN 2021.

RAISED BY HIS PARENTS, KATINKA FERNANDEZ AND RAYMOND HAND, RAYMOND IS ENGAGED TO CATHERINE LOZANO, MOTIVATED BY A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

HE CHOSE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE A LEADER AND PROTECTOR.

EMBRACING, EMBRACING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE SOMETHING GREATER THAN HIMSELF.

AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO CALL CHIEF AYALA TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE.

PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.

I STATE YOUR NAME. DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF POLICE OFFICER.

FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF POLICE OF THE CITY OF EDINBURGH.

HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS.

THE CITY OF OTTAWA COUNTY, TEXAS.

AND WILL DO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY TO ASSESS MY ABILITY TO PRESERVE,

[01:25:01]

THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF THIS STATE. AND I FURTHERMORE SOLEMNLY SWEAR, FURTHERMORE, SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I HAVE NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY PAID, OFFERED OR PROMISED TO PAY, OFFERED, A PROMISE TO PAY, CONTRIBUTED NOR OFFERED TO CONTRIBUTE, CONTRIBUTED ANY MONEY OR VALUABLE THING, OR PROMISED ANY PUBLIC OFFICE.

PROMISED ANY PUBLIC OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT.

FOR THE CONSIDERATION TO THE OFFICE WHICH I WAS APPOINTED TO.

SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME GOD.

CONGRATULATIONS. NOW, WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OATH OF HONOR, ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF MICHAEL CERDA.

PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.

ON MY HONOR, I WILL NEVER BETRAY.

I WILL NEVER BETRAY MY INTEGRITY, MY CHARACTER, OR THE PUBLIC TRUST. I WILL TREAT ALL INDIVIDUALS, TREAT ALL INDIVIDUALS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT, AND ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY COMMUNITY AND THE PRESERVATION OF HUMAN LIFE.

I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE COURAGE.

I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE COME TO URGE TO HOLD MYSELF AND OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS, OUR ACTIONS. I WILL ALWAYS MAINTAIN.

I WILL ALWAYS MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS, THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS, AND UPHOLD THE VALUES AND UPHOLD THE VALUES OF MY COMMUNITY AND THE AGENCY I SERVE AND THE AGENCY I SERVE.

CONGRATULATIONS, OFFICERS.

THANK YOU. CHIEF AYALA WILL NOW JOIN US AGAIN AT THE FRONT TO PRESENT EACH OFFICER WITH THEIR BADGE.

AND.

NOW, IF I COULD HAVE THE FAMILY OF OFFICER RANDY ADAM COME TO THE FRONT.

NOW THE FAMILY OF OFFICER STEVE BLAKE.

OKAY. IT IS 658 AND THE EDC IS COMING BACK INTO OPEN SESSION.

CAN I GET A MOTION TO ENTER INTO? BACK INTO THE OPEN SESSION.

MOTION. SECOND. SECOND.

[01:30:03]

[3. Project Born Again]

[8. OPEN SESSION]

[9. ADJOURNMENT]

MOTION PASSES. AND I BELIEVE THAT'S ALSO.

CAN I GET A MOTION TO ADJOURN? MOTION AND SECOND. ALL RIGHT.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE OR RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.

WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU. MEMBERS.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.