WPD Swears in New Officer, WHS Grad

Another son of Watsonville has joined the police force.

Javier Ayala, who grew up helping on a family farm, was sworn in as a Watsonville police officer on Thursday afternoon.

In front of family, friends and his new coworkers at the police department, the 27-year-old grad had his brother, Victor, pin his shiny new badge on his chest.

"It's something I won't take for granted," Ayala said. "I've worke very hard to get here."

Ayala, the second youngest in his family, played sports, AYSO soccer and flag football as a kid, and participated in the Penny Club youth group. He attended , and WHS, where he played football and basketball, and also ran track, Police Chief Manny Solano said to introduce Ayala.

He went onto Cabrillo College and worked at Photoflex in Watsonville for seven years before decided it was time to find a career. He put himself through the police academy at Evergreen College in San Jose, graduating in 2011, Solano said. 

Solano, who also grew up in Watsonville, told Ayala he's granted a lot of power as a police officer. He will be a leader and an example to the city.

"We need the community trust to be able to carry out our business," Solano said. "The public will trust you with their personal property, children and their own lives."

Solano also advised Ayala that he will have a huge range of experiences on the job: the euphoria of a big arrest, the frustration of a lost case, the sadness of tragedy and the adrenaline of a chase.

"And in this community, you'll have several," Solano said, eliciting a few laughs from the crowd.