New officers sworn in at Santa Ana Police Department

By Lou Ponsi

With family members and supporters looking on, six Santa Ana police officers were sworn in by Police Chief Robert Rodriguez in a special ceremony at the Santa Ana Police Department on May 7, 2026.

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Dozens of current Santa Ana Police Department personnel were on hand to show support as one lateral and five new officers, all recent graduates of the Orange County Sheriff’s Training Academy, took their oath.

Prior to administering the oath, Rodriguez said the swearing‑in ceremony and the oath are more than a formality. The oath is a promise of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the Santa Ana community.

“As we enter our Police Week coming up next week in Washington D.C., it's really important to signify what the meaning of the badge is and what it represents – the honor, the tradition, and those who have gone before us and made the ultimate sacrifice,” Rodriguez said. “It is something to reflect back on and to remember as you serve your communities every single day.”

Rodriguez also praised the family members in attendance for instilling values and moral character at home.

“We might have taught you the skills on policing and law enforcement, but it is your family and your loved ones who taught you family values and ethics,” Rodriguez said. “You represent each other, you represent our family, but more importantly, you represent your families.”

The newly sworn officers are lateral Officer Hunter Barrett and recent Academy graduates John Cruz, Oscar Gonzalez, Ricardo Ojeda‑Romero, Zalani Raabe, and Fernando Vargas.

Officer Hunter Barrett

Barrett was born in Orange and raised in Yorba Linda, where he attended Esperanza High School. He served for more than four years with the La Habra Police Department before making the lateral move to Santa Ana Police Department.

“Throughout many agencies in Orange County, they all know that Santa Ana has a good culture, is a good agency, and is just a great place to work,” Barrett said. “There is definitely more opportunity for growth and more of the type of police work I enjoy.”

Officer John Cruz

Cruz grew up in Norwalk and attended Wallis Annenberg High School. He went on to earn a bachelor degree in criminal justice from Cal State Fullerton and then served as a public safety officer for the City of Norwalk for three years.

Officer Oscar Gonzalez

Gonzalez was born and raised in Santa Ana and attended Godinez High School. After graduating, he earned an associate degree in criminal justice at Santa Ana College and served as a correctional officer at the Santa Ana Jail for three years.

Officer Ricardo Ojeda‑Romero

Ojeda-Romero was born and raised in Lake Forest and attended Silverado High School. After graduating high school, he served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years, reaching the rank of sergeant.

“After I did my last contract at Camp Pendleton, I thought it was time to move onto something else,” Ojeda-Romero said. “And growing up, I was basically in and out of Santa Ana. I would always come here with my family. It was just a good culture to grow up in.”

Officer Zalani Raabe

Raabe was born in Baldwin Park and raised in Eastvale, where he attended Trinity Education Academy. After graduating, he attended Santiago Canyon College to study business.

Officer Fernando Vargas

Vargas was born and raised in Santa Ana and attended Samueli Academy. After graduating, he continued his education at UC Irvine to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social ecology.

For more, visit Behind the Badge.