Parker police add 4 new o cers in graduation ceremony

16 graduate in Highlands Ranch

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e Town of Parker swore in four new police o cers after they graduated from the Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Academy on June 1 at Mission Hills Church. Reserve class 16 graduated 33 cadets from eight police departments, which includes Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce, Arapahoe County Sheri ’s O ce, Castle Rock Police Department, Cherry Hills Village Police Department, Greenwood Village Police Department, Littleton Police Department and the Northglenn Police Department, as well as the South Metro Fire Rescue District. e four Parker cadets are Monica Brito Diaz, Matthew Cer, Jason Gomez and Rachel Price.

Along with the rest of the cadets, these individuals went through 21 weeks of training in which they participated in specialities such as driving, tactical training and rearms training. In addition, there were hours of studying for the exams.

Diaz, originally from Venezuela, had thoughts about going into the Navy but decided to go into the police force at the age of 25.

A pamphlet for police explorers in Florida caught Diaz’s eye and after a few ride-alongs, she was hooked.

“ is is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” said Diaz.

Price, 21, grew up right outside of Parker and was part of the Parker Police Explorers Program before joining the academy.

“I’ve always been drawn to protecting people and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” said Price.

In addition, Price’s brother is also an o cer with the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce.

Making sure the candidates were the right t, the Parker Police Department went through a vetting process.

Parker Police Chief James Tsurapas is looking forward to working with these individuals. Along with having the ability to communicate, Tsurapas said all four cadets are mild mannered.

“ ey t the culture that we’ve developed over the years within our organization,” said Tsurapas. “ ey believe in community policing philosophies, which is the foundation that we operate under, along with other agencies in Douglas County.”

Gomez is the only cadet to be awarded two honors during the graduation ceremony. He was awarded Top Gun, which is presented to the cadet with the best rearms skill in marksmanship, gun handling and mindset.

Gomez was also awarded with the Max Young Director’s Award, which is given to the cadet displaying extraordinary attitude, leadership, determination and teamwork throughout the Academy.

“I’m looking forward to nally using the passions that I’ve always had and actually utilizing them,” said Price.