McAllen swears in six officers from 66th Police Academy; training staff cites 96.5% historic pass rate
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Summary
Six cadets from the 66th McAllen Police Academy were sworn in and received badges and diplomas. City and department leaders highlighted the class's training — 24 weeks, 736 hours across 42 topics — and said the new officers will begin patrol assignments next week.
Six cadets completed the 66th McAllen Police Academy and were sworn in during a graduation ceremony that included presentation of diplomas and badges by Mayor Javier Villalobos and McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez.
The graduating class finished a 24-week training program that included more than 736 hours of instruction covering 42 topics, the department said during the ceremony. Director of training Antonio Gonzalez III opened the event and Chief Rodriguez and Assistant Chief Foley addressed the graduates.
“Starting next week, you'll be welcome to patrol with a patrol assignment,” Assistant Chief Foley told the class. Foley urged new officers to maintain a professional attitude in citizen contacts and to rely on family support through their careers.
Chief Victor Rodriguez framed the graduation as a milestone and stressed accountability and integrity, saying officers must be prepared to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of the state.” He also highlighted the training program's historic outcomes, telling attendees that the McAllen training staff has produced 66 academy classes and achieved a 96.5% passing ratio across those classes.
Mayor Javier Villalobos congratulated the graduates and asked officers to represent McAllen with “honesty and integrity,” and City Manager Isaac Tewill described the moment as recognition of the cadets’ commitment to public service.
Officer Edgar Acosta, introduced as the class valedictorian, thanked training staff and family members and said the graduates had competed with more than 100 applicants to reach their positions. Acosta told his classmates, “Keep being a sponge and learning.”
During the ceremony Mayor Villalobos administered the oath of office; diplomas, badges and a ceremonial first pinning by family members followed. Department remarks indicated that the department currently has its 67th academy in session and plans to start a 68th class in the coming months.
The ceremony included an invocation by cadet Leobardo Casas and closing remarks from Chief Rodriguez, who recommended that new officers “simply do the right thing” in the many decisions they will face on duty.
No formal votes or policy decisions were taken at the event; the principal outcomes were the oath, badge presentations and the transition of the six cadets into active police assignments.