First ever Park Police Reserve Academy graduates 21 officers

 It's been nine long weeks but the men and women of the Park Police Reserve Academy are now officers.

For Park Police Reserve Officers Xavier Naputi and Jaron Cruz, they each had a reason for joining the first ever Park Police Reserve Academy

“My father is a big inspiration to me, Chief Naputi. And seeing him out in the community doing what he loves to do, protecting the people. He always says, we serve the people, and I embody that fully. That is what made me want to do this,” said Naputi. 

“I wanted to open up my law enforcement career more because I’m a marshal and I wanted to explore more on the beaches, patrolling, I wanted to open up my options,” said Cruz. 

Like many in the academy, they would come from 8 to 9 hour shifts with their full time jobs.

“We showed our dedication, we come in even if it's a little bit late, or an hour or two late, we come in, show up, we get it out,” said Cruz. 

Naputi admits working a full time job and managing the cycle was mentally draining. 

“But having that focus in mind: protect the people, serve the people, that's my main goal. Another challenge was just trying to grasp all the knowledge from all these amazing and different cadres and instructors,” he added. 

But the hard work and dedication paid off on Wednesday morning, as 21 men and women were pinned by their loved ones and sworn in by Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. 

Col. Joey Terlaje said the program was made possible by an initiative by the Governor and Lt. Governor to make the parks safe.

“My role as a park police superintendent was to recruit, train, and retain officers, so they can go out there and continue to patrol the parks, making it safe and secure, for our visitors and community and that's the community's expectation,” said Terlaje. 

Over the course of nine weeks, the officers had the opportunity to learn skills, techniques, and crucial information from a group of very capable instructors from the Guam Police Department and Airport Police.

“It was all about the mandate. It was a post requirement that I recruit instructors that are certified in their field or line of work,” added Terlaje. 

And all participants leave not only as officers but post certified.

“Everything they taught us was amazing. I've learned from the oldest to the youngest. It didn't take ages to know the experience. What I can say is keep teaching, keep pushing everyone, and let's get more law enforcement out there,” said Cruz. 

As they make their way out on the field, Terlaje recalled the memorable moments from the academy

“I was able to engage with my officers in the training. I was able to identify their likes and dislikes. And their strengths and weaknesses. And now we're gonna go out there and do what is expected of us from the community,” he said.