The University of Houston Police Department acknowledged three new officers and two corporal promotions and unveiled its new badge during a badge-pinning ceremony on Dec. 2.

New Officers:

• Leonard James Ganther II is a native Houstonian. He graduated from the UHD Law Enforcement Academy in 2011 where he received commendations for academics and physical training. He served as a police officer with the Dallas County Schools Police Department for a year and previously served with the Houston Police Department as a civilian employee for 10 years. He is a volunteer AAU basketball coach and avid bowler. He chose to work for UHPD because he believes in its mission statement "to proactively build and strengthen community partnerships and reduce the unsafe perceptions and the opportunity to commit crime on campus" and wants to contribute 100 percent to upholding the mission.
• Abraham Garcia was born and raised in Rosenberg. While striving toward obtaining a chemistry degree at Wharton County Junior College, he changed his career path and went to the Wharton County Junior College Police Academy and graduated in 2012. He is still attending WCJC and is expected to graduate with his AAS degree in liberal arts this month. He enjoys helping people and being involved in the community and feels that law enforcement gives him the opportunity to do that on a daily basis. He feels honored to serve the UH community and hopes to do so for many years to come.
• Amanda Lincoln was born and raised in Angleton. After high school graduation, she focused on charity work in Brazil, Ireland and Africa. Between her travels, she attended college all over the Houston region and obtained her EMT and Texas Peace Officer certificate in 2012. She was a patrol deputy in Brazoria County before coming to UH. She is honored to protect and serve at a Tier One university.

Corporal Promotions:

• Justin Carter was hired by UHPD in August 2012 and began his career as a patrol officer. One year later, he seized the opportunity for advancement and has become the department’s youngest officer to receive a promotion to the rank of corporal.
• Brandon Whitfield began his employment at UHPD in 2006. During the first six years, he served as parking enforcement assistant, a security officer, a security supervisor and a support staff member. In 2012, he was hired as a police officer and later became a field training officer. He has now been promoted to corporal.