Cocoa Police Chief Mike Cantaloupe Swears In Four New Officers During Ceremony at City Hall

By  //  November 21, 2017

COCOA POLICE NOW HAS 66 sworn officers

Four new police officers began their careers with the Cocoa Police Department on Monday as they accepted the Police Officer’s Oath during a special ceremony at City Hall. Chief Mike Cantaloupe administered the Oath before a group of family members, friends, members of council, city staff and police department personnel. Above, left to right, Chief Cantaloupe swears-in new officers Joshua Cordero, Sayge Gray, Christian Portocarrero, Samir Paulino. (Cocoa police image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Four new police officers began their careers with the Cocoa Police Department on Monday as they accepted the Police Officer’s Oath during a special ceremony at City Hall.

Chief Mike Cantaloupe administered the Oath before a group of family members, friends, members of council, city staff and police department personnel. The new officers bring the total number of sworn officers serving the citizens of Cocoa to 66 including command staff positions.

Joshua Cordero, 31, was born in Queens, NY. He moved to Central Florida four years ago, with his wife and two children. He graduated from the Valencia Criminal Justice Institute in November 2014 where he also earned an associate degree.

He is currently enrolled at the University of Central Florida where he is earning a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. This is his first job as a law enforcement officer. Cordero speaks fluent Spanish.

Sayge Gray, 25, was born and raised in Central Florida. In June 2016, she graduated from the Criminal Justice Academy at Eastern Florida State College. She is the eldest of two children. She has a younger brother who is now 18 years old. Gray has prior law enforcement experience.

Samir Paulino, 26, was born in Manhattan, New York. He is the youngest of three boys. He moved to Florida six years ago and graduated from the Valencia Criminal Justice Institute in November, 2016. Paulino also speaks fluent Spanish.

Christian Portocarrero, 25, is originally from Colombia where he is one of five children. He first moved to New Jersey where he began to pursue a career as a motorcycle mechanic. He later attended the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy and later moved to the Central Florida area. He has a wife and daughter and he also speaks fluent Spanish.

The new officers will spend the next several months in training where they will learn the policies and procedures of the agency. They will be paired with a field training officer where they will respond to calls for service. Upon completion of the field training program they will be deployed to solo patrol duties in designated zone.

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