Los Banos welcomes seven new police officers who graduated from Fresno academy

Chief Reina introduced seven new officers at the April 2 Los Banos City Council meeting, saying the group graduated from the Fresno Police Academy and started training with the Los Banos Police Department this week.

The newly introduced officers — Officer Rayshawn Owens, Officer Rafael Gonzalez, Officer Max Pugh, Officer Joshua Tovar, Marco Alvarado, Benjamin Silva and Christian Rocha — spoke briefly at the podium, thanking the council and community. “I'm Joshua Tovar. I've lived here all my life and I just wanted to give back to the community that gave so much to me,” Tovar told the council.

Mayor Pro Tem Deborah Lewis, who attended the academy graduation ceremony, praised the recruits and noted awards received by Max Pugh, including the top law enforcement skills award and top academy student recognition in a tie. The chief said Los Banos had its largest group to graduate at once and that Fresno officers had complimented the cohort’s performance.

The meeting also included a recognition segment in which a local jiu-jitsu school promoted two department members and presented a belt to a recruit. Scott Savage, head instructor at Savage Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, thanked the police department for its response in a life-threatening incident and highlighted the recruits’ martial arts promotions.

Why it matters: Council and staff urged residents to welcome and support the new officers during their field training, emphasizing public-safety partnership between officers and the community.

What’s next: The officers will complete department field training following academy graduation and begin patrol duties as training milestones are met.