Surrounded by family, high-ranking judges and their soon-to-be bosses, 23 residents of Doña Ana County took one of the final steps to become Doña Ana County Sheriff's deputies last week.
The Aug. 9 ceremony took over the County Commission board room as family members, county officials and police personnel celebrated the advancement. Capping a 21-week training academy, many of the speeches from criminal justice officials highlighted the police's social role.
“Always remember the reason you wanted to become a deputy,” said DASO Capt. Samuel Ramos. “You’ve sacrificed over the last few months and successfully arrived at this moment in life. You’re now ready to begin a new career as a certified deputy.”
“So from this point forward and until you retire, you will be in the public eye and every action you take – or don’t take – is subject to intense scrutiny. So that will be a fact of your life moving forward,” Ramos said.
According to Ramos, the 22-week training blitz requires teamwork for the now-former cadets.
“Every week, they learn a new curriculum. They're tested on it, and they just can't forget it because every week, they build upon it,” Ramos told the Bulletin.
The training begins with orientation, during which the cadets receive uniforms and training materials. From there, each week contains instruction blocks on topics like crisis intervention, training in the law, physical training and more.
DASO’s academy is also a “satellite” academy, meaning that other agencies, such as Deming police, can send cadets to DASO for training. At least one member of this year’s class will enter the Deming Police Department.
In addition to DASO and county staff, Deming Police Department Chief Sergio Lara gave the 23 graduates some advice and a set of labels for their new occupation.
“I call you warriors because that is what you guys now are. I say warriors because you’ve decided to choose a career that is selfless, full of pride, integrity, morals and ethics,” Lara said.
He also titled them as peace officers.
“I say ‘peace officers’ because that is what you guys really are now, peace officers. You will hear ‘patrolman,’ you will hear ‘trooper,’ you will hear ‘police officer,’ but you are now peace officers – men and women that will help maintain peace through your great actions and your chosen path in life,” Lara said.
Margaret Strickland, a federal judge, told the deputies they’d become something beyond ordinary citizens.
“This is a day of transition for these graduates. They transition from community members to community protectors, protectors of the innocent, protectors of the vulnerable, protectors of the truth and protectors of the law,” Strickland said.
Not all of the 23 people who graduated will continue as DASO employees. Some are bound for other departments in the area, with at least one officer going to the Deming Police Department.
Those remaining in DASO will be on a 14-week probationary field training period before becoming full-fledged deputies.
Ramos told the Bulletin that DASO plans to begin another academy on Oct. 7. He noted that this class tied for the largest in DASO’s history. He wants the next class to break that record.
