07-03-2025
New officers sworn in to serve North Las Vegas, Clark County School District
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — New officers took their oaths Thursday, set to join two Las Vegas valley police departments.
The North Las Vegas Police Department (NLVPD) and Clark County School District Police Department (CCSDPD) welcomed their newest recruiting class Thursday at CSN's Horn Theatre. More than a dozen new officers earned their badge and took the oath to protect and serve.
'It's really a huge accomplishment,' said Ucia Alfaro, a new NLVPD officer. 'We've been waiting for 6 months, you know. It's paid off. We're here.'
'A lot of us weren't sure if we were going to get here because of how tough it is, but we all pulled through, and we're here now,' said Ernest Campos, another new officer. 'After six months of excruciating work, it's great. It all paid off in the end. It was hard, but right now, standing here, it feels great.'
Ucia Alfaro was the only woman in her recruiting class. An 11-year Army reservist serving the country, Alfaro will now serve her community.
'They tell me 'You're one of the boys now, ' so it's really nice to hear that from them,' said Alfaro. 'They definitely accepted me and invited me into their group.'
The new recruits went through 24 weeks of training that they say pushed them to their limits physically and mentally, including training involving tasers and 'OC' or oleoresin capsicum, also known as pepper spray.
'I would rather get OC sprayed than get tasered again,' said Officer Campos. 'The taser really put me out. I was on the floor, and it hurt for a few days.'
They also completed more than 1,000 hours of instruction in the basic knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a police officer, as well as advanced subjects such as tactics, use of firearms, and emergency vehicle operations.
Officials say the recruits include Spanish speakers, veterans, and Las Vegas natives. Those recruits say they strive to reflect the community they serve and strengthen trust in law enforcement.
'I know a lot of us really want to change the way people see police officers,' said Campos. 'Give us a chance. Let us prove ourselves to you guys that we do mean to help people.'
The newly minted police officers will go on to complete anywhere from 17 to 23 weeks of field training. The hiring process will begin again for NLVPD in September, with the academy beginning Oct. 6. More on that process is available on the Join NLVPD website.
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