Asheville Police Department welcomes new officers to the force

Family members were present for the ceremony.

On July 15, the Asheville Police Department swore in new officers. These recent Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) graduates will now move on to 16 weeks of field training, where they ride with a field training officer and gain firsthand experience in the field.

The new officers are: Leigh Cordell, Steven Escobedo, Vincent Garretto, Joshua Gibson, Cody Lail, Justin Lewis, Michael Owenby, Jesse Pinkston, Michael Polk, Trey Ruble, Kermit Smith and Brandon Wilson.

Please join us in congratulating these men and women as they embark on their new careers!

Below is a photo slide show of the swearing in ceremony and reception.