Advisory
Oakland Police Department Welcomes 24 New Officers
Oakland Police Department Welcomes 24 New Officers
Today, the Oakland Police Department (OPD) proudly welcomed 24 new officers to the OPD family as members of the 194th Basic Recruit Academy graduated at a ceremony held at the Scottish Rite Center. “Know that there are people in our community and within this organization, that are counting on you to make tough, but fair decisions each and every day.” Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell said. “You must take all steps necessary to not only build upon the great relationships that already exist between our Department and the Oakland community. You must go out of your way to mend and repair those relationships that need the most work.”
“We all deserve to feel safe and secure, whether we’re taking our kids out to play, running our essential small businesses, parking our car on the street, or walking home at night,” said Interim Mayor Nikki Fortunato Bas. “That’s why city leaders have focused on strengthening a comprehensive community safety system — from building our team of well-trained and accountable police officers, to the Ceasefire gun violence prevention strategy, to faster 911 response times. The city’s deep investments over the past year continue to pay off, with homicides down by 35% compared to last year, and overall crime rates down by 34%. The 194th Academy graduates will join OPD under the leadership of Chief Floyd Mitchell at a time when the city is turning the page on crime. We still have much work to do and we thank the 194th for the role they will play and for their service to the city of Oakland.”
"To the dedicated professionals who pushed through the challenges of this academy to hone your skills and prepare yourselves for service, I share my congratulations and my humble gratitude for your incredible dedication to the safety of our community," City Administrator Jestin D. Johnson said. "And to your fellow City of Oakland employees and to our community, I thank you for your ongoing dedication to work together to tackle safety from a strong grounding in partnership. By coming together across our many challenges, I know we can collectively deliver a safer Oakland, and I am inspired by the examples you all set each and every day."
The 194th Academy Class is a diverse group with six women and 18 men, who speak multiple languages. The valedictorian for the 194th is Officer Nathaniel Laursen. The newly sworn Officers are Gabriel Abea, Ariana Callejas, Rodolfo Castro, John Paul Cleary, William Jacob Crader IV, Michael De Jesus Cruz, Gabriel Gamboa, Nina Grösser, Ronald Keith Kelly Jr., David J. Lemus, Ashley Lor, Riryon Machado, Kijana Maksic, Matthew C. Miller, Slayman Mohammed, Hyejun Oh, Mario Padilla Vallejo, Esaias Pokini, Steven Richards, Carissa Rosario, Daniel Salcido, Brandon Villagrana-Martinez, and Maya Williams. One officer from the Alameda Police Department also graduated from OPD’s 194th Academy.
The graduates are a welcomed addition to our Oakland family, bringing the department's total to 696 sworn officers.
Oakland Police Department Welcomes 24 New Officers 
For Immediate Release December 20, 2024
OPD NEWS
Oakland Police Department Welcomes 24 New Officers
Today, the Oakland Police Department (OPD) proudly welcomed 24 new officers to the OPD family as members of the 194th Basic Recruit Academy graduated at a ceremony held at the Scottish Rite Center. “Know that there are people in our community and within this organization, that are counting on you to make tough, but fair decisions each and every day.” Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell said. “You must take all steps necessary to not only build upon the great relationships that already exist between our Department and the Oakland community. You must go out of your way to mend and repair those relationships that need the most work.”
“We all deserve to feel safe and secure, whether we’re taking our kids out to play, running our essential small businesses, parking our car on the street, or walking home at night,” said Interim Mayor Nikki Fortunato Bas. “That’s why city leaders have focused on strengthening a comprehensive community safety system — from building our team of well-trained and accountable police officers, to the Ceasefire gun violence prevention strategy, to faster 911 response times. The city’s deep investments over the past year continue to pay off, with homicides down by 35% compared to last year, and overall crime rates down by 34%. The 194th Academy graduates will join OPD under the leadership of Chief Floyd Mitchell at a time when the city is turning the page on crime. We still have much work to do and we thank the 194th for the role they will play and for their service to the city of Oakland.”
"To the dedicated professionals who pushed through the challenges of this academy to hone your skills and prepare yourselves for service, I share my congratulations and my humble gratitude for your incredible dedication to the safety of our community," City Administrator Jestin D. Johnson said. "And to your fellow City of Oakland employees and to our community, I thank you for your ongoing dedication to work together to tackle safety from a strong grounding in partnership. By coming together across our many challenges, I know we can collectively deliver a safer Oakland, and I am inspired by the examples you all set each and every day."
The 194th Academy Class is a diverse group with six women and 18 men, who speak multiple languages. The valedictorian for the 194th is Officer Nathaniel Laursen. The newly sworn Officers are Gabriel Abea, Ariana Callejas, Rodolfo Castro, John Paul Cleary, William Jacob Crader IV, Michael De Jesus Cruz, Gabriel Gamboa, Nina Grösser, Ronald Keith Kelly Jr., David J. Lemus, Ashley Lor, Riryon Machado, Kijana Maksic, Matthew C. Miller, Slayman Mohammed, Hyejun Oh, Mario Padilla Vallejo, Esaias Pokini, Steven Richards, Carissa Rosario, Daniel Salcido, Brandon Villagrana-Martinez, and Maya Williams. One officer from the Alameda Police Department also graduated from OPD’s 194th Academy.
The graduates are a welcomed addition to our Oakland family, bringing the department's total to 696 sworn officers.
Address/Location
Oakland Police Department CA
OAKLAND POLICE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
Oakland, CA 94607
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 510-777-3333
