TCSO’S Scholarship recipient sworn in
Sheriff Mike Boudreaux swore in recent Porterville College graduate Joseph Banda as a Sheriff’s Deputy Trainee along with two other new employees at a ceremony Tuesday in Visalia. Boudreaux wished them well and welcomed them into the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office family.
Banda is the third Sheriff’s Pathways Scholarship recipient to be sworn in at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Two Pathways Scholars preceded him: Deputy Jasmine Orozco and Deputy Hector Negrete.
Sheriff Boudreaux started the Pathways Scholarship program four years ago as a way to encourage his Explorers to go to college and become Deputies. The goal is to put local youth back in their hometown communities as Sheriff’s Deputies after graduation from college and training in the police academy with funding through the Sence Foundation.
“I’m very proud of the program,” Sheriff Boudreaux said. “It creates stake holders in the community and in the department.”
Deputy Trainee Banda’s father, Jose Banda, pinned his son’s badge on him as Sheriff Boudreaux and Kim Oviatt of the Sence Foundation looked on. A few moments later, Mr. Oviatt spoke during the ceremony. “On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Sence Foundation, congratulations and good luck,” he said.
Deputy Trainee Banda became a Sheriff’s Explorer when he was 14 years old. He graduated from Porterville High School in 2014. On May 11, 2018, he graduated from Porterville College with an Associate Degree in Administration of Justice.
He said he’s the first in his family to go to college and the first in his family to go into law enforcement.
In August, he will attend the police academy.
“I’m excited to start my career in law enforcement,” he said.
In addition to Banda, Sheriff Boudreaux swore in Detention Services Officer Olivia Arellano and Renee Mason, graphic specialist at Tuesday’s ceremony.
Anyone, ages 14-21, who is interested in becoming a Sheriff’s Explorer, please contact Lt. Harold Liles at (559) 782-6852.