Though each\u2019s path to the badge has been different, five police officers on Monday became united in their mission to protect and serve the University of Central Florida.<\/p>\n
The officers were joined by family, friends, UCF Police Department leadership and staff, and others from the UCF community for a swearing-in ceremony.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese officers will help UCF Police enhance our community-policing practices and deliver on our mission to provide a safe environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors,\u201d said UCF Police Chief Richard Beary. \u201cWe are excited to welcome them to our family.\u201d<\/p>\n
The five\u2014selected from a pool of 278 applicants\u2014expand UCFPD to 71 officers spread across the main campus and the Rosen, Lake Nona and regional campuses.<\/p>\n
The officers will be assigned to the patrol division upon completion of their field-training program, which started in September and consists of five months of classroom training and experience on the streets while paired with a UCFPD officer.<\/p>\n
Meet the Officers<\/strong><\/p>\n Officer Terrell Alexander<\/strong>, 30, is a Navy veteran who served for five years. Originally from Auburndale, Alexander comes to UCFPD from the Orange County Sheriff\u2019s Office, where he served as a deputy sheriff.<\/p>\n He\u2019s in the process of earning a bachelor\u2019s degree in health service administration from UCF, and he\u2019s a graduate of the Criminal Justice Institute at Valencia College.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to establishing a great working relationship with the university staff and faculty while serving the student population by providing a safe environment so they can excel in their education,\u201d Alexander said.<\/p>\n Officer Jerad Engel<\/strong>, 27, previously served as a staff sergeant for the Florida Air National Guard and also worked security for a hospital in Jacksonville.<\/p>\n He earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology from the University of North Florida in 2012. He\u2019s a graduate of the North East Florida Criminal Justice Center.<\/p>\n Engel said he\u2019s excited about \u201cinteracting with the public and making sure UCF students are safe and protected.\u201d<\/p>\n Officer Agustin Gonzalez<\/strong>, 32, did a career 180, relocating to Florida from New York\u2014where he owned a barbershop\u2014to pursue a career in law enforcement.<\/p>\n A native of the Dominican Republic, Gonzalez most recently worked security at a charter school in Kissimmee. He\u2019s a graduate of the Criminal Justice Institute at Valencia College.<\/p>\n Gonzalez said he\u2019s looking forward to being part of a team, having the opportunity to work for an agency known for its professionalism, and helping give back to the UCF community.<\/p>\n