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Baldwin Park swears in new officers, promotes dispatch supervisor and lieutenant
Summary
Baldwin Park on Oct. 15 held a pinning and swearing-in ceremony for new police officers and support staff, and promoted a dispatch supervisor and lieutenant; council and the police chief praised hires as reducing mandatory overtime.
Baldwin Park Mayor Avila and city officials on Oct. 15 swore in a group of new police officers and support staff and recognized recent promotions in a public pinning ceremony at the City Council meeting.
The lineup included sworn officers Landon Eaves, Rudwin Cabrera Hernandez, Michael Soto, Jose Luna, Matthew Buffardi, Marcus Fino, Kendrick Larios and Anthony Pimentel; dispatch supervisor Francis Nunez was promoted and Cynthia Lopez was introduced as a new records specialist. Captain Joshua Hendricks introduced each appointee and provided short biographies for the group.
The swearing-in capped remarks from Mayor Avila praising the department: "Every single 1 of these gentlemen and women, whether they're out on the streets or support staff, they're our heroes," she said. Captain Hendricks said he had "the distinct honor and pleasure to introduce several new faces to our organization," and outlined military service and academy backgrounds for several hires. The department also recognized Lieutenant Barry Miller, promoted April 28 and described by Hendricks as having 22 years of law enforcement experience and prior U.S. Marine service.
Police leadership and council members highlighted recruitment gains. The police chief said the department has hired "a total of about 23 officers in the last period of about 3 or 4 years" and that, because of council support, the city is approaching a point where "we're not having to force or have mandatory overtime," which the chief framed as a benefit for officer wellbeing.
Council members individually thanked officers and families during the ceremony. Mayor Avila and Mayor Pro Tem Damien encouraged community support for the new hires; council members noted the mix of experience and community ties among the officers. Families took part in a pinning ceremony and the newly sworn officers were photographed with councilmembers and staff.
No formal council action was required for the swearing-in itself; the event was presented as part of the evening's recognitions and staffing updates. City staff said the recruits came from lateral hires, recent police academy classes (several from Rio Hondo Police Academy), and veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps and National Guard.
The city asked families and guests to join receptions after the ceremony and councilmembers noted the department would continue to coordinate staffing, training and community outreach as new officers integrate into patrol duties.
