 Good morning. I'm Tagnesian J.C.C.S. with the Denver Police Communications Bureau and on behalf of Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas I welcome each of you to this promotion ceremony. Today, 17-4 members of the department are being promoted to the race of Deputy Chief, Division Chief, Commander, Lieutenant, and Sergeant. And we are also recognizing five members of our professional staff who have recently been promoted or hired to the position of Director. These 22 members of the department seated here today have devoted a tremendous amount of time, effort, and energy to get to this very moment and are now being recognized for their skills and accomplishments. We look forward to seeing them continue building their LACs in their new leadership roles. And so far in the Denver Police careers, they have already served in the Denver community for a combined 322 years. At this time, we can stand to your table for the presentation of the colors by the Denver Police Honorary. That's right. Mark. Are you good? Mark. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Our word. Right. Third. Mark. These are many standing for the invocation delivered by Denver Police Captain Rabbi Steve Kaye. Let us bow our heads for a moment of prayer and thanksgiving. In pure chaos, the teaching of our ancestors, an important Jewish text, we are taught these words. Who is wise, the one who learns from all others, as has written Psalm 119. I have gained understanding from all my teachers and in Provert 16, one who is slow to anger and is better than the mighty and one whose temper is controlled and the one who captures the city. This morning we gather to honor these wise women and men of our Denver Police department as they assume new leadership roles. We honor our new Deputy Chief Montoya and our new Division Chief Dodge, four new commanders, five directors, five lieutenants and six sergeants, all under the command of our Chief of Police Ron Thomas. Eternal God, we ask that these men and women continue to use their knowledge, street experience and keen sense of values as they lead our department in the months and years to come. We honor these new leaders this day with joy and love and their eternal blessings. We are assembled here along with their co-workers, family and friends, our mayor and distinguished guests to acknowledge this milestone in their lives. Each and every day all the members of our Denver Police department do their best to improve the quality of life in our city. Our officers give unselfishly of themselves to serve and to protect our great city. May these newly promoted officers go forth with your eternal protection with the shield of your love and the support of their loved ones. We pray that those who are under their supervision will see them as leaders who exemplify the values of justice and fairness, who will have understanding and compassion as they influence the lives of our officers, their families and the citizens of the city and county of Denver. May all who are assembled this day be blessed in your holy name and together let us say, Amen. Thank you very much. Please be seated. At this time I'll invite Mayor Mike Johnson to address our poem of peace and guest. Good morning. It is an honor to be with you this morning and an honor to be here to celebrate the incredible accomplishments that are represented on this stage today. I will say that the most basic commitment every civilization makes is public safety. The problem that we make to each other is that when you are in your moment of greatest need, your greatest terror and most alone, you'll be able to reach out and someone will show up who can help you. And that person will show up without prejudice, without judgment, without bias and be able to meet you in that moment of struggle and say, whatever your need is now, I'm going to carry you from where you are to where you need to go. That is the most selfless of all commitments. It is the most fundamental human instinct. It is the deepest desire to help and to serve. And in your context it is often the most difficult commitment to keep because you find people out there toughest, sometimes they're worse. And you have the decency and the belief to support them and carry them to whatever they may be facing. Today is about celebrating lives of service. This is our job. This is a calling. You enter this work as you believe fundamentally an important summit and you stay in it regardless of the challenges because that calling was so powerful. Maybe none more powerful than Sergeant Dodge's story you shared with me this morning, which is even in the moment when you had an entire vehicle out of his leg and knew that he might lose that leg, his first decision was to take off his uniform himself and hand it to someone else and say, keep that because I'm going to get back. Because when I get through this, I will come back to service community again, over and over and over again because that is what I do. That's what I was built to do. That's what we're going to do. That's what I'm going to keep doing. And I will do it today by showing up to support my wife, who will be over before the foreman in 165 years during this war to bear the title of Chief. Those are the lives of service that we are here to celebrate today. And I just want to say I consider myself lucky to be able to serve with you all in this work together. So thank you for being done for this city, for me, for my family and for the 750,000 people out there today who know they can live a life of safety and security and stability in this city because of your service. Thank you so much. Executive Directors Saul Daphnir will now share his thoughts on today's promotions and appointments. Thank you. Good morning everyone. What a great and joyous occasion and an honor to be with you all here today. I was trying to think about what I would share with you all and couldn't really find the words. This is a pretty special promotion ceremony for me. I know many of these promoters. I've been able to work with them throughout my career here in Denver and just find them to be truly exceptional leaders. But one thing that I'd be remiss if I didn't thank you all for being here. You are the support system. You are the tough love. You have helped each one of these promoters get to where they are. Without their family, friends, loved ones, they wouldn't be where they're at. They wouldn't have the success and they wouldn't be able to do what they do. I also thank you for your shared sacrifice. Having someone that you love in this calling, in this duty is not easy. Every time you hear something horrible happening in our city, you worry about that loved one. And so I thank you for that sacrifice. I know these new promoters will miss birthdays, special occasions, but I really appreciate that support that you have provided them. Congratulations to each one of you. You all have not only answered the call to serve our city, our great city and community, you've answered the call to serve your peers, people in the department, and to lead. Leadership isn't easy. And make no mistake, we are currently a community in crisis. There are a number of emergencies going on in our community, a number of emergencies going on around the world. Yet these folks choose to not only serve and answer the call, but they choose to lead. And I'll tell you, one of the biggest responsibilities you will have is taking care of your people. Our employees are what makes this department so great. That commitment to serve is what makes this community safe. And be able to serve folks because, you know, they're part of the community too. When I say communities in crisis, that includes our employees. Our employees that have been through countless emergency vectorations since the pandemic. That has had to withstand numbers of change with all the pressures that are going on in our society right now. Yet they continue to come out and serve and risk their lives for the public good. Thank you. Your leadership is needed now more than ever. And I appreciate your dedication and willingness to serve. Thank you. And now, Chief Thomas would like to share his words of encouragement with the leaders you promoted today. Good morning. I want to thank the mayor and the executive director for their words of inspiration. I'm going to be quick though. And not just because they have said just about everything that I really wanted to say. But because like many of you, I'm really excited, you know, we're going to be promoting a number of individuals today. Very special occasion. And I want to get to the part that we all came here to see. But first, I too want to thank everyone for being here on such a fantastic occasion. A special recognition to the friends and family of all those that are being appointed today. You see, nobody makes it up on the stage or in the seats right there by themselves. Each one of these individuals has somebody that has a support system that's behind them that helps support them. That gives them encouragement. That, you know, the steps in and fills the gap and takes up the slack when they're committing themselves to the process. And so on behalf of each of them, I want to thank you for that everlasting support. Now, I want to congratulate all these formalities. I also want to acknowledge that we're going to be recognizing five civilian professional staff directors. And that's important because, you know, they all hold the rank of, it's essentially the equivalent to a commander in division or a district commander position. And they each have skill sets and expertise that is just as valuable as any sworn member of our forces. I think it's important to recognize their contributions, which are the reason why we're such a fantastic department. You know, usually when we promote a group this big, I customize my remarks for each rank. But I really want to just leave you all with one message because each of you will be engaging with the individuals that will be working with you. And so the words that I want to leave you with are, is that leaders cannot make positive changes within their own community until those in their span of care. I want everyone to take note that it's a span of care and not span of control. Feel valued and appreciated and are treated with dignity and respect. And so as you go forth, please remember that more important than any of the decisions that you make is how you make those that are in your span of care feel. So congratulations once again. Thank you. Now, with the assistance of Mayor Johnson, executive director Salgate and Chief Thomas, we will be in our batch and certificate presentations. When each name is called, the officer and director and those who will be fitting on the new batch are invited to come up to the stage or if you're not able to the front of the stage. Those who will be joining their officer or director on stage are asked to please meet with your mission guests in the fan station area to the right of the stage before your officer name is called. The order of officers is being called in your programs. Please note that the department of photographers will be taking individual pictures of each officer during batch and certificate presentations. Deputy Chief Joseph A. Montoya Jr. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Deputy Chief Montoya's previous degree assignments include district court patrol, detective, sergeant and vice mayor colleagues, internal affairs lieutenant, major crisis captain, district court manager, district brief manager, internal affairs manager, and deputy chief of investigations. He has earned multiple community commendations and commendatory letters, three merit awards, and one distinguished service class. Joining him are his wife Joanne, his father Joe, his mother Carmen, daughter Joelle, and grandson Henry. Depending on his new batch is his father Joe. Deputy Chief Megan Dodge. Deputy Chief Dodge began serving at the dinner for this department on October 1, 1998. She holds a batch for the science degree in the county from the University of Colorado and a master's of science in organizational leadership from the Colorado State University of Kansas. Deputy Chief Dodge's previous degree assignments include district court patrol, district one sergeant, records and ID section sergeant, district real pen, special operations lieutenant, administrative management unit commander, operations support commander, district three commander, city and security protection commander, and internal affairs commander. Her new assignment will be deputy chief of administration. Joining her are her husband Sergeant Justin Dodge, her kids Morgan, P, and Brody Dodge. Depending on her new batch is her entire family. We would also like to take this time to acknowledge Sergeant Sergeant Dodge and wish him well with his continued recovery. Commander, and a commander to be answered at the dinner for this department on August 2, 1990. Commander Registration is to be assigned as a student, district one patrol, district three patrol, district four patrol, district four impact officer, game unit officer, game unit detective, district one investigations, district one records unit, district four sergeant, district one impact team sergeant, major crime sergeant, robbery unit sergeant, cold case unit sergeant, homicide unit sergeant, hostage negotiations team sergeant, major crime lieutenant, and airport bureau lieutenant. His new assignment will be district one commander. Joining him on stage are his wife Janelle Ledger, his three daughters, DPD professional staff member Hansel, DPD Corporal City Union, and Dr. Samantha Ledger. Depending on his new batch is his wife Janelle Ledger. Commander Stephen O. Addison Junior. Commander Addison will be answered at the dinner for this department on September 1, 1995. He holds the bachelor of science degree in administration of justice with minor in public law and a minor across the college from the University of Wyoming, and an bachelor of science in criminal justice from the University of Colorado. His previous DPD assignments include Mr. Six Patrol, game unit officer, sergeant at the radio room, district six sergeant, night shift sergeant, major crime sergeant, aid to the division chief of investigation, district six lieutenant, robbery, homicide section lieutenant, internal affairs lieutenant, counter threat section lieutenant. He has earned one senior service cross, one night stand award, four police merit awards, two community service awards, one citizen appreciates police award, one union citation, eight official commendations, 30 commendatory letters and 26 letters of appreciation. His new assignment will be eternal fair bureau commander. Joining him on stage and depending on his new batch is his wife Jody Madsen. Commander Michelle Oman. Commander Oman will be answered at the dinner for this department on October 13, 2008. After 24 years of firing around working service with other agencies. She holds master's degree in public administration from the American military university. Commander Oman's previous DPD assignments include district three, district four patrol, academy and firearms instructor, domestic violence and crisis negotiator, internal affairs lieutenant and director of training. She has earned four commendations. Her new assignment will be the diversity, equity and support bureau commander. Joining her on stage depending on her new batch is her wife Rhianne Marchman. She will join us today to advance our knowledge of promotion. His new assignment will be district three commander. Today we are also acknowledge members of our professional staff who have recently been hired or promoted to their respective roles as bureau directors. Director of community education bureau, Marie Davis. Director Dawes and minister of the dinner for this department on March 10, 2015. I was promoted to the role as director of the community education bureau on May 1, 2020. Her prior position in DPD was program administrator for the volunteers and police service program. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in business management from George Boston University. Joining her on stage are her husband Eric Dawes, Dr. Mikaela Dawes and his son Trenton Dawes. Oh, okay. We got to move this way. There is a little bit of change to me in the picture. She is a part of the department on October 2, 2020. His prior application was county manager of Southern County Colorado and has more than 20 years of prior law enforcement experience. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in business administration. And a master's degree in public administration from California State University, Long Beach. Joining him on stage is his wife, Sethan Janice. The liberal services bureau director, Lucinda James. Director of the dinner for this department on July 10, 2023. Her prior occupation was director of public safety for the junior state children. She holds a bachelor of science degree in professional interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in English and business from Jackson State University. She has currently completed the final requirements to obtain a master of science degree in crime analysis from Arizona State University. Crisis services bureau director, Chris Richardson. Rick Richardson joined the dinner for this department on July 31, 2023. His prior occupation was director of the mental health center family. He played an integral role with the staff program and the DVD correspondent program. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Western State University. And a master's in social work from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Joining him on stage are his wife, Ashley Lennon Richardson and his kids. There we go. One, two, three, four. Great smile. Great communication bureau, Doug Sheppin. Director Sheppin began serving on the dinner for this department on June 29, 2013. And was promoted to his role as director of the communication bureau on July 9, 2023. Spire edition of the DVD were marketing communication specialists and marketing communication manager. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Northern Kentucky University. Joining him on stage are his wife, Sarah, and children, Mianna, Jackson and Laura. He's N. Cuskin. Mr. Cuskin began serving for the government for his department on April 23, 2001. Mr. Cuskin's previous DVD assignments include district 1 sergeant and district 4 sergeant. He has earned the Citizenship Registration Police Award, the Community Service Award, two star awards, and a distinguished service cross. His new assignment will be district 2 lieutenant. Joining him on stage are his wife, Samantha, his sons, Caleb, Colin and Quinn, his mom, Deborah, and his dad, retired narrow police captain, John Cuskin. Depending on his new badge, it's his dad. Lieutenant Tamara L. Molymaneau. Lieutenant Molymaneau began serving for the government for this department on November 1, 1996. She holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Colorado. Lieutenant Molymaneau's previous DVD assignments include district 6 patrol, downtown motorcycle unit, crimes against persons, assault unit, sex transhuman, homicide unit, and internal affairs division. She has earned several DVD accommodations. Her new assignment will be district 2 lieutenant. Joining her on stage for the new badge are her husband, Dwayne Molymaneau and Dr. Jordan Molymaneau. Lieutenant Jesse Canney began serving for the government for this department on January 14, 2008. After three years of running around for his own experience with another agency. His previous DVD assignments include district 6 patrol, district 3 corporal, district 6 sergeant, district 6 training sergeant, internal affairs sergeant. He has earned the medal of valor. His new assignment will be the training bureau lieutenant. Joining him on stage are his wife, Lindsay, and his children, Jack and Kate. His new badge is his son, Janet. Lieutenant Aaron James Kaepern. He will be answering the very first department on January 10, 2005. After six years of running around for his own service with another agency. He holds a bachelor of science degree from the Northwestern State University of Denver. Lieutenant Kaepern's previous DVD assignments include district 1 patrol, district 3 patrol, vice in our products bureau detective, human trafficking unit detective, and excise license unit sergeant. He has earned the police merit award, community service award, officer of the year award, and two chief student citations. His new assignment will be lieutenant and special investigation bureau candidate section. Joining him on stage are his wife, Pamela. His daughter is Ruby, Lucy, and Sophia. His new badge is his wife. He will be answering the very first department on January 1, 2006. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in communications from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Lieutenant Franklin's previous DVD assignments include district 2 patrol, sex crime unit detective, district 2 sergeant, missing and exploited persons sergeant, and internal affairs sergeant. She has earned the sorrel award. Her new assignment will be district 1 lieutenant. Joining her on stage are her husband, D.P. Sergeant Curtis Franklin, and her father, retired DVD detective, C. McKenna. Pinning on her new badge is her father. Christopher Coles. Sergeant Coles will be answering the number for his department on July 29, 2015. After eight years of running around for his own service with another agency. He holds a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from the University of Wisconsin, Blackville. His previous DVD assignments include district 2 patrol, district 2 impact team, district 2 narcotics, uniform support team, and Metro's lab. He has earned the district 2 top cop award and several letters of commendation. His new assignment will be district 4 sergeant. Joining him on stage are his wife, Sarah Coles, and his brother and parents Dan and Robin Coles. Pinning on his new badge is his wife. We're with McKenna. Sergeant McKenna will be answering the number for his department on July 11, 2016. After nine years of running around for his own service with another agency. He holds a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from the University of Wisconsin. His previous DVD assignments include district 2 patrol, game unit, sort team, marijuana unit detective, and the bombing criminal enterprise task force detective. He has earned the two star awards, preservation of life award, and two letters of commendation. His new assignment will be district 6 sergeant. Joining him on stage are his wife, Amy, his daughter's father and other, his dad and sister. Pinning on his new badge are his daughter's. Sergeant Jeremy King. Sergeant King will be answering the number for his department on April 4, 2005. He holds an associate degree in electronic and electrical engineering from Southeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska. His previous DVD assignments include district 3 patrol and technical and electronic support unit detective. He has earned multiple star awards. His new assignment will be district 6 sergeant. Joining him on stage are his wife, Caitlin King, children, Ryder, and D. King. Pinning on his new badge are his wife. You can't hide back there. Sergeant Garrett Warsh. Sergeant Warsh will be answering the number for his department on August 3, 2015. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in history and secondary education from the University of Northern Colorado. His previous DVD assignments include district 3 patrol and district 3 support unit. He has earned the Meritorious Service Medal. His new assignment will be district 1. Joining him on stage are his wife, Sean Jones, and his father, Karen. Pinning on his new badge is his father. We've got to keep the chief of the picture. Okay, one, two, six. There we go. Sergeant Peterson will be answering the number for his department. On December 29, 2014. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice from the University of Northern Colorado. Sergeant Peterson will be answering the number for his department. His new assignment will be district 6. Joining him on stage are his wife, Caitlin, and boy and boy. Sergeant Zachary Patrick is not able to join the state, but is also being acknowledged over this promotion. His new assignment will be district 1 sergeant. Please join me in congratulating these 22 deserving officers and professional staff. I would be remiss if we didn't pause for a moment and ask for continued blessings for you, sergeant. Just to dodge, because it takes a community, a prayer, and a community of people who are standing with you, and have been around with you and the family, and we are so honored of your presence. And we know it is a painful and yet a joyous time that you were with us, and we salute you and we're thankful for doing that. I'm going to take a moment of rabbinic personal privilege before I do that. I remember when you became sergeant, I was standing on the stage, and I didn't know that you were married to Megan at the time, and she was the first one up and she gave you a kiss, and I said, I don't get those things when I offer a blessing. So I always remember that as a very sweet moment when you received becoming a sergeant. As a Lord of the Universe, we've been witness this last hour to seeing the pride of these men and women who will assume new roles of leadership in our Denver Police Department. We ask for continued blessings for them, their beloved families, and for all of the other officers and support staff who diligently serve our department every day. May blessings of wisdom and leadership continually be bestowed upon Chief Thomas and his command staff as they lead our Denver Police Department. Let us always be mindful and thankful that we live in this great nation built upon the foundation of freedom and personal liberties. During these turbulent and political times and acts of barbaric acts known by terrorists, we are thankful for the freedom that we have as Americans. We ask for your continued blessings and the safety of our American troops throughout the world to protect our nation, and all that represents our values. Eternal one of blessings, may we continue to gather at times like these to celebrate the joy of life, opportunities for growth, and may our cup of life always overflow with your sweetness and your blessings. And as a safety community, let us say, Amen. Please be seated. At the conclusion of the ceremony, we invite you to enjoy your profession provided by the office of the Chief of Police. They are set up here to the left of the stage. We are also asked all the recent promoters, directors and the director appointed directors to meet up at the stage for a group voting after this. In closing, achievement promotion within the Denver Police Department is an exceptional accomplishment. These 22 members of the Department standing in front of you today have demonstrated through their hard work that they are ready and committed to leading others in fulfilling the mission of the Denver Police Department. Again, congratulations. This concludes our ceremony. Thank you all for attending.