Airport Police Assistant Chief Dan Llorens, Officer Ashley Arranga, Officer Nikko Vldenor, Officer Jesse Amezcua, Captain Mario Patrick
Photos by CSI Officer Shawn Smith
(Los Angeles, California - July 3, 2019) Today, following a graduation ceremony held at the Los Angeles Police Academy on the historic grounds of the 1932 Summer Olympic Games in Elysian Park, Airport Police Assistant Chief, Dan Llorens swore-in three new Airport Police Officers.
A crowd of family and friends proudly watched as LAPD Academy Class 1/19 received their diplomas. Among the forty graduates from LAPD and Port Police were three Airport Police Officers. Officer Jesse Amezcua is a Liberal Arts/Political Science Major at Los Angeles Harbor College and former personal trainer. Officer Ashley Arranga who was elected academy class treasurer, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Cal State Long Beach. Officer Arranga is no stranger to LAX or to a life of serving others, having selflessly volunteered at the LAX USO for several years. Rounding out the Airport Police graduates is Officer Nikko Valdenor, a Cal State Long Beach graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Science. Officer Nikko Valdenor will have the distinct notability of joining his father, Airport Police veteran Officer Percival Valdenor, in protecting the gateway to Los Angeles, LAX.
Before swearing-in the new Airport Police Officers, Assistant Chief Dan Llorens spoke to the graduates and said, "You join Airport Police at a very unique time in history, there are many construction and innovation projects underway and LAX is moving rapidly into the future.” “There are many opportunities waiting for you and the sky is the limit.” “Welcome to the Airport Police Family.”
The three new officers join the largest aviation law enforcement agency in the nation with responsibilities that include patrolling Los Angeles International Airport, the number two busiest airport in the country. They 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.
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.
