(Los Angeles, California – November 21, 2018) In a graduations ceremony held today at the Los Angeles Police Academy near Dodger Stadium, six new Airport Police were sworn-in by Chief David L. Maggard Jr., Chief of Airport Police.
New Airport Police Officers Davion Bell, Manuel Franco, Christian Harris and Ericka De Leon are no strangers to serving the aviation community. All four new officers join Airport Police after serving as Transportation Security Administation Officers at LAX. Xenophon Gikas a Social Media Management graduate from the University of Oregon and Dennis Tang a Psychology graduate from UCLA round out the very well qualified and motivated Airport Police graduates.
Before swearing in his six new officers, Chief Maggard addressed the academy graduates and their families. He thanked graduates Gikas, Bell and Harris for their leadership roles as class leader, squad leader and class treasurer respectively. Additionally, Chief Maggard congratulated Gikas for being awarded "Top Shot" for best recruit in firearms proficency and De Leon for being awarded the "Tina Kerbrat Award" for most inspirational recruit. Chief Maggard then said, "It's my pleasure to swear-in six new officers as Airport Police, I know you worked hard and were committed during your training in the academy and I challenge you to maintain that same work ethic and commitment throughout your career's in law enforcement."
The six new Airport Police Officers will now begin a six-month Field Training Program specific to aviation law enforcement under the guidance of a field-training officer. Upon completion, they will be assigned to the Patrol Services Section.
Airport Police Officers Christian Harris, Davion Bell, Ericka De Leon, Chief of Airport Police David L. Maggard Jr.,
Officers Dennis Tang, Manuel Franco and Xenophon Gikas Photos by CSI Officer Shawn Smith
In addition to 550 sworn officers, Los Angeles Airport Police Division also employs 430 security officers and nearly 200 civilian professional staff. As the largest aviation law enforcement agency in the nation, Airport Police patrols and secures Los Angeles International Airport, the Nation’s second busiest and world’s fifth busiest airport, and Van Nuys general aviation airport.
