Family, friends, and UCF Police officers and staff welcomed two new officers to the department at a swearing-in ceremony earlier this month.
Both recruits have a background in sports — one is a former collegiate and professional football player and another is a professional fishing guide who participates in tournaments in his spare time.
At their swearing-in ceremony, Chief Carl Metzger ’03MS emphasized the sacrifice police officers make when choosing this career and the importance of hiring the right person at UCF.
“The UCF community is in great hands with our newest recruits,” says Metzger. “They could be many other things in life, but they chose to serve and we appreciate the sacrifice that they are making today. They are committing themselves to make a difference in the world and to set a positive example for the community they serve.”
The new officers are:
- Tommie Duhart, a father of two who played professional football with the Carolina Panthers.
- Rodger Smith ’19, a criminal justice alum who is originally from Maryland and who loves to fish in his free time.
Duhart and Smith recently completely their classroom training and will now hit the road as patrol officers on the main campus. They will spend several weeks paired with senior officers to receive hands-on experience out in the field before graduating to solo patrol.
A live-stream of the ceremony can be viewed here.
