Families, friends, and colleagues filled the Austin Community College District (ACC) Highland Campus Board Room to watch the swearing-in of the first ACC Police Department cadet class on March 25, 2026.
Led by ACC District Police Chief Gizette Disher, 12 cadets and a lateral transfer from another higher education institution were called up one by one for their badge pinning. As a group, they took the oath of office, marking their commitment to serve and protect the ACC community.
The cadets received words of advice from a couple of ACCDPD lieutenants. The advice ranged from “balance safety with approachability” to “every decision reflects your character,” and they were encouraged to “go serve with purpose.”
The ceremony also included certificates of appreciation for officers involved in community policing and recognitions for officers and a dispatcher who recently joined the community engagement team. HR liaison Donald Jackson was also recognized for his assistance with the Bats to Badges program.
These cadets came to ACC from a variety of employers and roles—from corporate security and county sheriff’s offices to the tech industry and children’s gym management. One previously worked in student services at ACC.
Now sworn in, the cadets will move on to field training, which will take place over the next two-and-a-half months.
View and download photos from the ceremony here.