This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
The Longmont Police Department (LPD) welcomes four new graduates from the Flatrock Law Enforcement Training Academy this week. These four graduates include Brandon Brunswick, Thomas Moyer, Adreanna Communal, and Joshua Olson.
Currently, these four young recruits are undergoing several more weeks of in-service training and will soon begin their Field Training Program with LPD.
Brandon Brunswick
Brunswick is originally from San Diego, California but grew up in Loveland, Colorado. After working as a biologist in a lab, Brunswick needed a change, he needed "something more exciting and that got him outside." In early spring of 2018, he decided to pursue a career in law enforcement.
"Longmont seemed like a perfect fit," says Brunswick, because of the "community and the relationship that I felt that the officers have with each other." He looks forward to tackling some of Longmont's traffic problems and helping to keep people safe.
Thomas Moyer
Moyer is from Colorado Springs. He served in the Marine Corp for awhile. After he transitioned out of the Marine Corp he worked for a public defender's office. The combination of these two careers taught Moyer that he wanted to work in an environment that embraced camaraderie while still allowed him to help and work with people. Longmont drew Moyer while he worked in the bar scene, years ago. He enjoyed getting to know the residents of Longmont then and knew he would be welcomed back.
"I think people are fascinating and where they come from and their day-to-day stories are absolutely incredible. So I think the daily interaction, whether good or bad, I think is what I am most looking forward to," says Moyer.
Adreanna Communal
Communal has moved all over but grew up in Westminster. Inspired by her father, a police officer as well, she has always had a love for law enforcement. Even as a child, she played with a CSI kit instead of dolls. However, for a time she choose to pursue a career in nursing before realizing that her true passion was law enforcement and psychology. She hopes to become an SRO (student resource officer) in order to connect with Longmont's youth.
At the academy, Communal learned to "always be myself and that not everyone is going to accept you for who you are. But to keep moving forward and not let it dictate anything you do or how you react in certain situations." She looks forward to making a positive impact on the Longmont community as she explores the different fields within law enforcement.
Joshua Olson
As a child growing up in Aurora, Colorado, Olson dreamed of becoming a law enforcement officer, however, he found himself on a different path of being a youth pastor. After getting married, he decided that it was time to find a career better suited to providing for his family and pursued his childhood dream in law enforcement.
Olson found the Longmont Police Department through his best friend, who is also a Longmont police officer. "I love serving people and I know that sounds super cliche, but I'm excited to have those interactions, playing catch with kids in a cul-de-sac or stuff like that, where the community gets a positive perspective of law enforcement instead of whatever the media tries to portray."
LPD is still looking to fill seven more law enforcement officer positions. The next hiring round is expected to open up in the next few weeks, no official date has been established as of this article publishing. Interested parties are encouraged to apply on the City of Longmont Job site.
