Montgomery County鈥檚 Public Safety Training Academy graduated 37 new police officers and sheriff鈥檚 deputies who were sworn in during a ceremony Thursday in Rockville, Maryland.
The new class of law enforcement officers enters policing at a time when competition for new hires is fierce and trust for the profession in some communities is low.
The current climate is one of the reasons newly sworn Montgomery County Police Officer Alfredo Hernandez said he is joining the force.
鈥淭here is not a better time to serve than now,鈥� Hernandez said. 鈥淚 speak Spanish, I speak English, I鈥檓 bilingual, I have years of life experience under my belt, which I feel like will be a great asset to this department.鈥�
He grew up in Rockville, attended Wootton High School, and said his police academy class is a reflection of the community.
鈥淲e are very diverse,鈥� Hernandez said. 鈥淲e have many different officers from many different backgrounds, we speak many different languages and we鈥檙e here to serve the community.鈥�
Members of the 2026 class will join agencies including the Montgomery County Sheriff鈥檚 Office, Gaithersburg City Police, Rockville City Police, Takoma Park Police and the Maryland-National Capital Park Police.
The bulk of the graduating class, 21 officers, will serve in Montgomery County鈥檚 police department.
Police Chief Marc Yamada said recruitment efforts have paid off, and that鈥檚 due in part to the opportunities that the department offers.
He also agreed with Hernandez that gaining and keeping the public’s trust is especially important at this time.
鈥淚t鈥檚 almost talked about every day, either in the academy, on the street or in my office,鈥� Yamada said.
鈥淚f you caught me in my other uniform, I have a pin on my uniform 鈥� one of only a couple that I wear 鈥� that says 鈥榯rust.鈥欌��
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