In a recent ceremony on the front steps of the Santa Barbara Police Department, Chief Bernard Melekian congratulated three police academy graduates and one lateral officer. The newly sworn officers will begin an extensive 18-week field training program before being released as solo functioning officers. The new officers are:

Sean Zosimo, who was born and raised in Oxnard. Following high school, he attended the University of Hawaii Manoa with a major in political science. When he returned to his hometown, Zosimo worked at Nike for several years before becoming a police officer with the Santa Paula Police Department and lateraled to the Santa Barbara Police Department. 
 
Michelle Royals was born and raised in Torrington, Connecticut. She attended Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where she played basketball and earned her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, before pursuing a master’s degree in strength and conditioning from Springfield College. Royals moved to Santa Barbara six years ago and worked as a sports performance coach at UCSB.

Madison Hank was born and raised in Irvine, California, with her two sisters. She attended California State University Fullerton where she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Before joining the Santa Barbara Police Department, Hank worked as a swim instructor for the city of Irvine, as well as a process server for a law firm.

Carlos Garcia was born and raised in Santa Barbara. Prior to joining the Santa Barbara Police Department, he worked at a local automotive repair shop, where he mastered his craft for eight years. He later completed his associates degree in criminal justice and completed several Citizen’s Police Academies which confirmed his desire to join the profession.