‘A new chapter’: 17 Lincoln Police Department recruits celebrate graduation

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln Police Department and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday celebrated the graduation of 17 police and four deputy recruits at Southeast Community College.

“I feel excited. I feel great,” Sebastian Arrugla, one of the graduates, said. “This is a new chapter in my life, and I’m very excited to go onto this chapter now.”

Each recruit underwent 22 weeks of hard work, dedication and physical training. They are now onto their next adventure on the streets of Lincoln.

The collaboration between LPD and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office has just started, but officials said it proves the power of partnership between the agencies.

“None of our agencies during a huge major event are big enough to handle all of it by ourselves, so that’s why the teamwork is so important,” Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said.

With the new recruits, both agencies will see their staff numbers improving.

“We’re really excited about this group for a number of reasons,” Ryan Dale, assistant chief of LPD, told Channel 8. “First of all, it’s the largest academy we’ve had in some time.”

Each recruit had endless support from their family and fellow graduates.

You will soon see some new faces on the streets, as they are eager to get started.