Corpus Christi Aim at Attracting More Police Officers to the Force

City of Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI (News Release) – The Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) has two new officers. Officer Joseph Riojas and Officer Jairo Herrera. Both new officers were sworn in this morning by Judge David Stith of the 319th District Court. Both officers are the first lateral transfers to the CCPD.

Officer Joseph Riojas worked with CCPD for five years before working in the private sector. He then worked for the Portland Police Department before reapplying with CCPD.

Officer Jairo Herrera worked for the Aransas Pass Police Department for three years and is a four-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

Due to their previous law enforcement experience, both officers completed a six-week refresher academy before being sworn in. The two officers will now spend the next 12 weeks in the Field Training Officer Program, where they will ride with a different CCPD veteran officer each month.

The Lateral Transfer Program is available to officers who want to join the CCPD. Qualifications include:

• A current TCOLE Peace Officer Intermediate Certification

• Be employed or have been employed for at least three continuous years as a police officer by an incorporated Texas city

• Or be employed or have been employed for at least three continuous years as a deputy sheriff in any Texas County of at least 120,000 population, according to the most recent U.S. Census

• Or be employed or have been employed for at least three continuous years by the Texas Department of Public Safety

• Actively worked within the three hundred and sixty-five calendar days preceding their application

For more information about the Lateral Transfer Program, visit careers.ccpolice.com/lateral-hiring.