 Good morning. I am Technician Ziana Parrish with the Denver Police Recruiting Unit and on behalf of Chief Ron Thomas and the Denver Police Department I welcome each of you to this promotion ceremony Today 11 sworn members of the department are being promoted to the ranks of lieutenant and sergeant These 11 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 legacies in their new leadership roles and So far in their Denver Police careers. They have already served the Denver community for a combined 140 years at this time Will you please stand if you are able for the presentation of the colors by the Denver Police Honor Guard? 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 Please remain standing for the invocation delivered by Denver Police Chaplain, Father Dank Let us pray Heavenly Father in times past You raised up leaders for your people to provide for them guidance and directions We thank you that you have called forth on today this leaders Who's will be celebrating their promotions? We thank you for their hard work and determinations Through which they have earned and respect of their peers as they step into positions of increased responsibility We ask you to grant them wisdom in their decisions and courage in their leadership Through them bringing it about good for our city and our Denver Police Department We ask this in your name. Amen. Thank you, Father Dank. Please be seated Operating an effective and innovative police department requires the hard work talent and dedication of sworn and civilian personnel and The support of our public and private partners in the community I now like to take a few moments to introduce our special guest and members of our command staff and ask that we hold our applause until the end. Please stand to be recognized when your name is called Executive director of the Department of Safety Armando Sadate Department of Safety Chief of Staff Jeffrey Holliday Chief of Police Ron Thomas Deputy Chief of Police Joe Montoya Division Chief of Investigations Rick Kyle Division Chief of Patrol Erin Sanchez Division Chief of Administration Megan Dodge Again representing our Denver Police chaplain's unit is Father Dang District 2 Councilman Kevin Flynn District 6 Councilman Paul Cashman District 7 Councilwoman Flora Alvarez District Denver District Attorney Beth McCann Department of Safety Chief Compliance Officer Mary Dulaki Chief of Safety Financial Officer Shanae Cummings Denver Fire Chief Desmond Fulton Deputy Chief of Paramedics Brent Stevenson Emergency Communications Director Andrew Dameron Independent Monitor Elizabeth Castle Executive Director of the Denver Civil Service Nisi Murray Denver Civil Service Commissioner Noah Stout and Our Denver Police senior leadership staff District 1 Commander Edward Ledger Filling in for our District 2 Commander Carlos Aragon is Lieutenant Kevin Curtis District 3 Commander Joel Bell District 4 Commander Brad Quali District 5 Commander Marion Pinn District 6 Commander Kimberly Bowser Airport Police Division Commander Mark Chuck Major Crimes Division Commander Matt Clark Internal Affairs Bureau Commander Steve Addison Filling in for Commander Paul Jimenez with the Strategic Investigations Bureau is Lieutenant Aaron Kafer Conduct Review Division Commander Hans Levins Special Operations Division Commander Michael O'Donnell Diversity Equity and Support Bureau Commander Michelle Fomer Operational Innovation Unit Commander Jacob Herrera Crisis Service Bureau Director Chris Richardson Representing Strategic Initiatives Bureau Director Philip Gonshak is Program Manager Elisa DeTrolio Community Engagement Bureau Marie Dabbis Communications Bureau Director Doug Shepman Identification Bureau Daniel Everett Please join me in applauding their dedicated service to our community at this time I'd like to invite Executive Director Saudate to share his thoughts on today's promotions Thank you, and good morning. It's really a pleasure to be with you all here today these are some of my Promotion ceremonies and graduations and anytime we can get here to celebrate is always a making of a good day I wanted to acknowledge a couple of people as we go through the list of people to acknowledge We always miss a couple, but I just wanted to first acknowledge Councilwoman at large and co-chair of Safety Committee Councilwoman Serena Gonzalez Gutierrez. I also see some command staff here from the Denver Sheriff's Department I don't see you all I see major half major Brunning and major Orozco Thank you all for being here on behalf of the Sheriff's Office And I want to thank also all those here that may be representing other jurisdictions other law enforcement first responders And those that have served our armed forces Gratitude it for all that you do First off, I really want to talk about our new mayor mayor Mike Johnston. He is sorry. He could not be here this morning He was trying to make it He his schedule has become out of control. I know that he I think me Chief Thomas Curry late that really being busy, but his schedule seems even more uncontrollable So he is sorry. He cannot be here. He extends his congratulations to you all And he wishes you safety and you have his support I can talk about that support that he has for this department because I see it firsthand Every time I have an opportunity to speak with him and talk to him or brief him one of the first questions He asks is how are our officers doing? He really has been appreciative of the efforts you all have made in supporting housing the thousand As we are all preparing for the brutal temperatures We're going to experience this weekend and this week coming up. We're all reminded how dangerous it is to work outside Fact chief Thomas and I were on a call yesterday with city leaders as we're planning for the morade and We're worried about people in the cold that they're going to be out there as we celebrate a dr. Martin Luther King And you know people were also saying well How about our cops that are going to be out there and our first responders and it's almost a given like you're always out there, right? And and it it was it was nice that people were also considering you know our first responders that will be out in this cold I've seen it firsthand I've seen it as I drive to the city and also I'm out at these encampments You are all out there and you're leading with such compassion for folks that are in horrendous conditions And I really want to talk about that and extend the message. I have to you is about gratitude When I was thinking about what I would talk about today I try to have a special message around leadership or something that might might inspire But then I was thinking about what was what I was truly feeling and in these past several months And then I look back at just the years since the pandemic one thing I've been eternally grateful for is those of you in uniform Especially those with the Denver Police Department. You've been through a lot You've been through a lot of turmoil crisis criticism But what I continually see instead fastly see is you show up you answer the call You had to have their call to our community when COVID hit you were all out there still answering calls when we had this unknown Virus that was this wreaking havoc in our in our community You've answered the call when we had protest and unrest in our city You've answered the call since crisis and crisis that we've had since then Including the homelessness crisis and now what we're experiencing with newcomers coming to our city That have literally in some cases walk 3,000 miles to get here. They don't speak our language They're not prepared for our temperatures yet You all are out there trying to help them succeed and help them get be be safe in our community Every time there is a crisis or there's something a critical incident in our city and we unfortunately we've had probably too many I Get notification of what we've done and what our responses Every time I get that notification though It typically is also there's information about the heroic acts that our folks are out there doing how you mitigated Violent crime how you save lives Every time I put put down the phone and mill the night or I put or I answer that text I just say thank you and but that that's not enough first of all I I have just the Being thankful and the pride that I have in being one of the leaders of your departments is Is amazing be able to to represent you all is amazing because what you do What you do every day in our community what you do with your families and everything So I'd also like to just extend my gratitude to your loved ones and the family members that are here today They wouldn't be here without you your steadfast support through all the crises that we've been through Your support of them and their careers what they do is not easy And lastly I want to say thank you for answering the call again So not only do you enter the call to go out there and serve our community You all are answering the call to lead That's not easy Especially leading through times of crisis Especially leading employees that are dealing with these crises and things that we've had to deal with and to take on that extra Responsibility when not a lot of people are and in wanting to answer the call is truly Admirable, so thank you for everything and I really appreciate it be safe Executive director saw that day and now chief Thomas would like to share his words of encouragement with the leaders being promoted today Thank you. Good morning everyone You know, thank you all for being here for such a special day It's not just special for these individuals that sit here It's a special day for the Denver Police Department certainly special day for you all I think you all for for joining me here today I always like to begin by thanking the friends and loved ones of these promoters You know, I think we all understand, you know The sacrifices made every day, but you all deserve special recognition For the support that you've given these support ease During the times that they've needed, you know people to take up the slack And you know when they had to put in the extra work in order to prepare for this day But I want to caution you all that that their need for strong support does not end today In fact, I think it grows from this day forward You know, they are going to need your support because they're not going to just be responsible for their own Actions they're going to be responsible for the actions of others And so they'll continue to need your support now to the promoters You know, I gave a lot of thought as the director did about what I would what I would say to you And you know, it occurs to me that you all understand policing. You're all our veteran officers You all understand policing. The fact that you sit right here demonstrates the fact that you Have already, you know, you've already mastered law enforcement leadership Techniques and and management skills So I thought what I would do is is maybe a little bit of a social experiment if those in the crowd will indulge me So I have a I have a hundred dollar bill here now Full disclosure, I don't walk around with this much money. I literally just came from the credit union But if I was to offer this hundred dollar bill to each of you, who would who would take it? But I'm yeah, don't don't be don't be don't be shy because I know your loved ones are out there sitting on the crowd saying Heck, I know you just got promoted and you got a little bit of a raise But that's a hundred dollars like, you know, you know That'll help pay for the you know for the dinner that we're about to have to celebrate your promotion So I know each one of you would take this hundred dollar bill What if I what if I folded it in half? What if I what if I took one of the corners and crumpled it a little bit, but you still take it? Of course you would what if I what if I balled it up? What if I put it on the ground and got a dirty? Still take it. I'm sure. I'm sure Why is that because it's still a hundred dollars. It's not lost its value now I'm gonna have to go back to the credit unit because my granddaughter's not gonna appreciate the social experiment But the lesson here is this you all are gonna have folks working for you That are gonna be tired that are gonna be frayed that are gonna be beaten down that are gonna feel less than But they're probably gonna need somebody that is gonna let them know that they still have value so Please remember that and I want to congratulate you all and your well-deserved promotions. Thank you Thank you, chief Thomas Now with the assistance of executive director saldate and chief Thomas We will begin our badge and certificate presentations When each name is called the officer and those who will be pending on their badge are invited to come up on the stage Those who will be joining their officer on stage are asked to meet technician Dominguez to the family staging area to the right of the stage Before your officer's name is called the order of the officers being called is in your program Please note that department photographers will be taking individual pictures of each officer during badge and certificate presentations And with that let's begin Lieutenant Jeffrey Masangelo Lieutenant Jeffrey Masangelo Lieutenant Jeffrey Masangelo began serving with the Denver Police Department on January 10th of 2005 Lieutenant Masangelo's previous DPD assignments include district 4 patrol The scat marijuana team detective district 4 patrol sergeant that no investigation sergeant He has earned life-saving award Distinguished service cross award the merit award top cop chief unit citation and nine official accommodations His new assignment will be front-range task force Joining him on stage to pin his new badge is his wife Vanessa his daughter Sophia and son Brody Lieutenant Maria Cameron Aldridge Lieutenant Maria Cameron Aldridge began serving with the Denver Police Department on November 1st of 1999 She holds a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice and criminology from Metro State University Lieutenant Cameron Aldridge in previous Denver Police assignments include officer and technician in district 1 Corporal in district 1 Sergeant in district 3 Sergeant of internal affairs division Sergeant in the major crimes missing an exploited persons unit sergeant of public nuisance and abatement and sergeants of professional development unit She has earned multiple official Commodations and commentary letters and a star award her new assignment will be chief of staff for the division chief of administration and division chief of Investigations joining her on stage to pin her new badge is her father retired corporal Daniel Cameron Mother Rose Cameron husband detective Ethan Aldridge and daughter Emma Parton Michael Green Sergeant Michael Green began serving with the Denver Police Department on December 28th 2015 he holds a bachelor of science degree in political science from University of Colorado Denver Sergeant Green's previous DPD assignments include district 1. He has earned the preservation of life award His new assignment will be district 6 Joining him on stage to pin his new badge is his son Colin Green Alejandro Zapien Mata Sergeant Alejandro Zapien Mata began serving with the Denver Police Department on May 1st of 2017 He holds a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from Metro State University Sergeant Zapien Mata's previous DPD assignments include special operations response team and district 6 His new assignment will be district 3 Joining him on stage to pin his new badge is his wife Jordan parents Javier and Sandra siblings Jorge and Leslie Sergeant Carl Roller began serving with the Denver Police Department on January 16th of 1994 Sergeant Roller's previous DPD assignments include officer district 4 patrol Technician and corporal in district 1 and corporal of our TRU He has earned three Medal of Valor awards three distinguished service cross awards three star awards Life-saving and police merit award his new assignment will be district 5 Joining him on stage to pin his new badge is his wife Shirley Roller Antony Gutierrez McCain Sergeant Antony Gutierrez McCain began serving with the Denver Police Department on December 30th of 2013 He holds a bachelor of science degree in sociology from Metro State University Sergeant Gutierrez McCain's previous DPD assignments include district 3 His new assignment will be district 6 He has earned official commendation letters Joining him on stage to pin on his new badge is his wife Nicole and daughter Sophia Matthew Traheal Sergeant Matthew Traheal began serving with the Denver Police Department on October 1st of 2007 Sergeant Traheal's previous DPD assignments include district 2 DIA Traffic Operations DUI unit and Traffic Operations neighborhood enforcement team He has earned the service award several official accommodations several top cop awards The Windsor Gardens Optimist Club and Distinguished Service Cross Award His new assignment will be district 5 joining him on stage to pin his new badge is his wife Lauren and daughter Ava Milner Sergeant Rick Milner began serving the Denver Police Department on June 30th of 2014 He holds a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from Metro State University Sergeant Milner's previous DPD assignments include district 3 patrol District 3 impact district 3 narcotics detective and TIU detective He has earned multiple official commentary letters His new assignment will be district 6 joining him on stage to pin his new badge is his wife Natalie and daughter Kelsey Jordan Pitzley Sergeant Jordan Pitzley began serving the Denver Police Department on August 3rd of 2015 he holds a bachelor of science degree in sociology from the University of Colorado Sergeant Pittley's previous DPD assignments include district 3 patrol district 3 impact and district 3 corporal His new assignment will be district 6 joining him on stage to pin on his new badge is his wife Mieshka Pitzley Alberto Ulloa Sergeant Alberto Ulloa began serving with the Denver Police Department on December 28th of 2015 Sergeant Ulloa's previous DPD assignments include district 3 corporal and district 4 impact He has earned the NAMI award. His new assignment will be district 2 Joining him on stage to pin his new badge is his dad Carlos mom Marcia Sister Christina and nephews Ethan and Andrew at Clements Sergeant Matt Clements began serving with the Denver Police Department on June 30th of 2014 Sergeant Clements previous DPD assignments include district 6 patrol District 6 impact Detective with the fentanyl investigations team his new assignment will be district 3 Joining him on stage to pin his new badge is fiance corporal Julie Reyes and kids Kennedy and Carson Please join me again in congratulating these 11 deserving officers Please stand if you are able for the benediction My father dang congratulations to the newly Promoted chief. I thought like you're gonna give them a hundred dollar cash bonus today Let us pray Lord we ask you to be with us In a very special way as we face the challenges that we must face each day Teach us To be compassion for the innocence that we see Help us to protect and serve those who would depend on us and when the duty calls to danger Walk closely by outside And still in us great courage and be our strength and our guide We ask this in your name Amen Thank you father dang Please be seated At the conclusion of the ceremony we invite you to enjoy refreshments provided by the office of the chief of police They are set up here to the left of the stage To all of our newly promoted officers, please come to the front of the stage for a group photo following the end of this ceremony There will also be a photo opportunity for the officers and their families immediately following the ceremony right here in the front of the stage in Closing achieving promotion within the Denver Police Department is an exceptional accomplishment These 11 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 coming