The CAPCOG Regional Law Enforcement Academy graduated its 100th class in March; the milestone graduation builds on decades of educating officers while evolving the training to meet the ever-changing profession of policing. Just like many classes before them, all 30 graduating cadets passed their TCOLE exam on the first attempt.
“BPOC 100 is full of amazing new police officers, whose accomplishments are not going to stop at graduation,” said Sergio Flores, CAPCOG Chief Instructor. “Their results on the TCOLE exam as well as our 7 plus months of instruction is the prologue to their resolve and dedication for serving the residents in the 10-county region and beyond.”
The academy improves its curriculum and teaching methods through feedback, evaluation, and adaptation, drawing on lessons from previous graduating classes to meet the growing demands and challenges of law enforcement. It focuses on team building and personal growth with emphasis on physical training and self-accountability. The BPOC includes instruction beyond the required TCOLE curriculum to ensure graduating officers are ready for working communities in the CAPCOG region; this includes certification courses such as OC spray, ASP baton, radar and lidar and body-worn cameras.
“We eagerly look forward to the next 100 classes and continuing our mission — our tradition — of producing highly skilled and ethically grounded officers who have an extensive legal knowledge and uphold the values of justice, integrity, and service,” Flores said. “Together, we are prepared for future challenges and making a difference in the communities we serve.”
Course honors went to valedictorian Rondolfo Perez, salutatorian Starr LaSalde, and Top Gunn Dillion Scherr. LaSalde and Scherr also earned Director Awards for scoring higher than a 90 on their TCOLE exam. The academy is scheduled to graduate another class of cadets in April and start its next full-time BPOC.
The graduating cadets included:
- Laura Benjaminson — Manor Police Department
- Albert Betancourt — Austin ISD Police Department
- David Bobbitt — Independent
- Jacob Burchett — Austin ISD Police Department
- Corbin Casey — Independent
- Marcette Favors — Manor Police Department
- Peter Fleming — Kyle Police Department
- Jon Paul Fritz — Elgin Police Department
- David Henry — San Marcos Police Department
- Michael Herrera — Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
- Dawson Jackson — Kyle Police Department
- Mariah Kittrell — Victoria Police Department
- Starr LaSalde — Elgin Police Department
- Juan Lopez III — Kyle Police Department
- Daniel Mahoney — Elgin Police Department
- Josiah Marschall — San Marcos Police Department
- Jonathan Martin — San Marcos Police Department
- Cameron McLaren — Austin ISD Police Department
- Juan Mercado, Jr. — Austin ISD Police Department
- Aaron O’Brien — Independent
- Derrick Payne — Independent
- Rodolfo Perez — Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
- Peter Rinderknecht — San Marcos Police Department
- Edwin Salazar — Bee Cave Police Department
- Dillon Scherr — Elgin Police Department
- Oscar Taboada — Independent
- Brazhon Thomas — Elgin Police Department
- Clarissa Valenzuela — Travis County Constable Pct. No. 2
- Christopher Vigee — Elgin Police Department
- Jimmy Zhen — San Marcos Police Department