Kent police swear in lateral officer, honor lifesavers and open community police academy registration

The Kent Police Department swore in Officer Guillermo Bosch and presented chief’s commendations to two civilians credited with saving a child in December 2024. Police also opened registration for the department’s Community Police Academy, a 10-week program beginning April 1.

Chief Padilla presented Officer Guillermo Bosch, a lateral hire from the Honolulu Police Department, for swearing-in. Padilla said Bosch served four years in Honolulu, is originally from Spain, is fluent in seven languages, and values building trust in community policing. Bosch introduced his fiancée, Christina, during the brief ceremony.

Chief Padilla next presented citizen commendation awards to Victor Gonzalez Marquez and Carlos Gomez for intervening in a December 3, 2024, incident in which a child was rendered unconscious after a zip tie tightened around the child’s neck. Padilla said the two men climbed a fence to reach the child, called 911 and removed the zip tie; medics and officers were then able to stabilize and transport the child to the hospital. The chief said the child is alive today and described the men’s actions as decisive and life‑saving. Ruby Sanchez Mendoza was also named for her role but was not present at the meeting.

Padilla also announced registration is open for the Community Police Academy, a 10-week course meeting Tuesdays from 6:30–9:00 p.m. beginning April 1 and running through June 2 at the department’s training center. The chief described the academy as interactive and taught by KPD subject-matter experts; he said graduates may go on a patrol ride‑along as a culminating experience and that registration typically fills in two to three weeks.

Why it matters: The swearing-in adds to department staffing; the commendations publicly recognize community members who intervened in a medical emergency; the academy is a community outreach and transparency program that gives residents a closer look at department operations.

Quotes from the meeting: Chief Padilla said of the new officer, "He values public service and aims to make a positive difference in his community." On the lifesaving incident, Padilla said the men's "immediate and decisive actions... saved this youth's life without a doubt." The transcript records these remarks as spoken by Chief Padilla.

Next steps and outreach: The department directed listeners to KentWA.gov/police for academy registration and noted the program often fills quickly.