Assistant Chief Tyrone Stallings, Officer Francisco Gaytan, Officer Merlin Gonzalez, Chief of Airport Police
Cecil W. Rhambo Jr., Officer Brandon Dyer, Captain Mario Patrick
Photos by Officer Bruno

(Los Angeles, California - February 14, 2020) The Airport Police Division officially welcomes Officers Francisco Gaytan, Brandon Dyer (Class Leader), and Merlin Gonzalez (Class Vice President) to the force during a swearing-in ceremony that was held at the LAPD Academy in Elysian Park.

Chief of Airport Police Cecil W. Rhambo Jr. and Officer Gonzalez

Prior to attending the Police Academy, Officer Gonzalez worked as a detention officer for the Los Angeles Police Department and she is a former graduate of the Airport Police Youth Service Program. Officer Gonzalez's absolute dedication and commitment to serve the aviation community sets her to be the first graduate of the Airport Police Youth Service Program to become an Airport Police officer. Officer Gonzalez received her associate's degree in Criminology from West Los Angeles College.

Chief of Airport Police Cecil W. Rhambo Jr. and Officer Dyer

Officer Dyer, a military veteran, proudly served in the United States Army as an Airborne Infantryman prior to becoming an Airport Police officer.

Chief of Airport Police Cecil W. Rhambo Jr. and Officer Gaytan

Officer Gaytan worked as a sales representative and received his bacherlor's degree in Criminal Justice from Westwood College.

Officer Espiritu, Officer Holliday, Officer Gonzalez, Sgt. Cooper, and Officer Loera

Surrounded by family and friends, Chief of Airport Police Cecil W. Rhambo Jr. was pleased to announce the appointment of these three new officers to the ranks of the Los Angeles Airport Police Division.
The three new officers' responsibilities will include patrolling Los Angeles International Airport, the 2nd busiest airport in the country and the 4th busiest airport in the world. Next week, they will begin their post-academy training followed by 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 fourth busiest airport, and Van Nuys general aviation airport.