The Apopka Police Department added two new officers to its police force on Friday, September 22.
Officer Laura Crespo and Officer Joseph Mentor took an oath to serve and protect from Police Chief Michael McKinley.
As a tradition, each new officer selected family members to pin their police badges to their uniforms.
Officer Laura Crespo
Officer Laura Crespo, 25, was born in The Bronx, N.Y., and grew up in Weeki Wachee, Fla., where she graduated from Weeki Wachee High School in 2016.
Crespo continued her education at the University of Central Florida, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in crime scene investigation in 2021. Crespo also attended Valencia State College’s School of Public Safety for her police academy training and graduated in May of this year.
Officer Crespo’s hobbies include practicing ju-jitsu and serving as a youth leader at her church.
When asked why Crespo chose law enforcement as a profession, she said that after being a crime scene investigator for a year and a half, she decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a sworn police officer.
Officer Crespo’s father retired from the New York Police Department after 22 years of service, then retired from Hernando County Sherriff’s Office (Florida) after 12 years of service. He is currently a lieutenant with the attorney general’s office, where he has been employed for two years.
Officer Joseph Mentor
Officer Joseph Mentor, 27, was born in Haiti and raised in Orlando. He graduated from Maynard Evans High School in 2014.
Officer Mentor continued his education at Florida A&M and earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology in 2020. He attended his police academy training at Seminole State College and graduated this past August. Officer Mentor’s hobbies include going to the gym, fishing, and playing basketball.
When asked why he got into law enforcement he said it’s an exciting career that keeps one sharp. He also said that he strongly believes he can make a difference in the Apopka community and help those in need.
The Apopka Chief and The Planter are weekly community newspapers, independently owned and family operated, that have served the greater Apopka area in Central Florida since 1923 and 1965 respectively.
Follow The Apopka Chief on Facebook.
Follow The Apopka Chief on Twitter.
