Making A Difference In Our Community
The University of Arizona Police Department Earns VETS Indexes
5 Star Employer Award for 2025
The University of Arizona Police Department has been recognized as a 5 Star Employer in the 2025 VETS Indexes Employer Awards – one of the program’s very highest distinctions – because of the organization’s strong commitment to recruiting, hiring, retaining, developing, and supporting veterans and the military-connected community, VETS Indexes is excited to announce.
Click this link to see all of the awardees: https://vetsindexes.com/award-results-2025
“The University of Arizona Police Department has demonstrated exceptional support for veterans and the military-connected community, earning the organization one of the most prestigious awards possible in the VETS Indexes Employer Awards program,” said George Altman, president of VETS Indexes.
“Even as more organizations than ever before are recognizing the uniquely valuable skills that veterans bring as employees, the efforts of The University of Arizona Police Department to recruit, retain, develop, and support those who served, as well as their families, stand out from the pack. The University of Arizona Police Department is among the very best veteran employers, and its program can serve as a model for others.”
This year, a record total of 349 organizations completed and submitted surveys for the VETS Indexes Employer Awards, more than ever before! Of those participants, VETS Indexes recognized 294 organizations across the following award levels: 5 Star Employer, 4 Star Employer, 3 Star Employer, and Recognized Employer. Not every responding organization made the cut – only those that demonstrated a strong commitment to veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses. Participating organizations included companies large and small, government agencies and departments, nonprofit groups, colleges, and universities.
UAPD is fortunate to have a variety of positions filled by veterans, as indicated below.
Micholjon Amado, Corporal, USMC
Benjamin Bordner, Police Officer, USAF
Bernardo Castillo, Community Service Officer, USARNG
Edward Eismon, Sergeant, USMC
Rene Hernandez, Police Officer, USMC
Todd Kauffman, Corporal, USMC
Colin Keating, Lieutenant, USA
Johnny Lollar, Corporal, USAF
Timothy Lopez, Police Officer, USAF
Estefan Nieves, Police Officer USN
Danny Pickrom, Corporal, USAF
Robert Sommerfeld, Assistant Chief, USAF
Andrew Valenzuela, Sergeant, USN
Thank you for your service to all our UAPD Veterans!
University of Arizona Police Department honored as a 2024 VETS Indexes 3 Star Employer
VETS Indexes is proud to announce that The University of Arizona Police Department has earned the designation of VETS Indexes 3 Star Employer in the 2024 VETS Indexes Employer Awards. The award recognizes the organization’s commitment to recruiting, hiring, retaining, developing, and supporting veterans and the military-connected community.
Click this link to see the full slate of awardees
“The diligent efforts of The University of Arizona Police Department to hire, retain, and support veterans and the military-connected community have earned the organization a highly coveted VETS Indexes Employer Award,” said George Altman, president of VETS Indexes.
“Competition for the VETS Indexes Employer Awards was tougher than ever in 2024, as a record number of organizations participated. Even with hundreds of employers in the running, The University of Arizona Police Department demonstrated a strong dedication to veteran employment. Congratulations to The University of Arizona Police Department on this achievement!” Altman said.
This year, a record 344 organizations submitted completed surveys for the VETS Indexes Employer Awards, an increase of more than 100 from last year and nearly triple the number from two years ago. Of those, VETS Indexes recognized 285 organizations across the following award levels: 5 Star Employer, 4 Star Employer, 3 Star Employer, and Recognized Employer. Not every responding organization made the cut – only those that demonstrated a strong commitment to veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses. Participating organizations included companies large and small, government agencies and departments, nonprofit groups, colleges, and universities.
UAPD is fortunate to have a variety of positions filled by veterans, as indicated below.
Micholjon Amado, Corporal, USMC
Benjamin Bordner, Police Officer, USAF
Edward Eismon, Sergeant, USMC
Rene Hernandez, Police Officer, USMC
Todd Kauffman, Corporal, USMC
Colin Keating, Lieutenant, USA
Johnny Lollar, Corporal, USAF
Timothy Lopez, Police Officer, USAF
Estefan Nieves, Police Officer USN
Danny Pickrom, Corporal, USAF
Elvis Sierra, Corporal, USA
Robert Sommerfeld, Assistant Chief, USAF
Andrew Valenzuela, Sergeant, USN
Thank you for your service to all our UAPD Veterans!
We are grateful to present the Southern Arizona Special Olympics with a check for $14,000! This money was raised through our 13th Annual UAPD Golf Tournament in May of this year.
We thank the golfers and many sponsors for their support and who have made this donation possible. We can’t wait to see all of you at our tournament next year!
Congratulations to all the Camp Fury participants! This is the 14th year of Camp Fury, a program that public safety and the Girl Scouts host for young women. The program is designed to help young women become familiar with and learn skills needed in the fire and law enforcement professions.
UAPD is a proud supporter of the program providing counselors and instructors for the camp participants.
Congratulations to UAPD’s Det. Berriman and Interdisciplinary Capstone Team 23018 for winning ‘Most Innovative Engineering Design’ & ‘Best Use of Prototyping’ at the College of Engineering’s 2023 Design Day.
To Read more about their project visit:
University of Arizona Police Department honored as a 2023 VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer
VETS Indexes is excited to announce that University of Arizona Police Department has earned the designation VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer in the 2023 VETS Indexes Employer Awards. The award recognizes the organization’s commitment to recruiting, hiring, retaining, developing, and supporting veterans and the military-connected community.
Click this link to see the full slate of awardees
“University of Arizona Police Department stands out from the pack as one of the best employers nationwide for veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses,” said George Altman, managing director of VETS Indexes.
“As more and more employers recognize the cutting-edge technical skills and soft skills veterans bring to the workplace, the race to attract military-connected talent gets increasingly competitive. The number of organizations participating in the 2023 VETS Indexes Employer Awards more than doubled since last year – but even in this highly competitive environment, University of Arizona Police Department distinguished itself as a leader among veteran employers and should be commended,” Altman said.
This year, a record number of 239 organizations participated in the VETS Indexes Employer Awards, more than double the 118 participants in 2022. Of those, VETS Indexes recognized 200 organizations across the following award levels: 5 Star Employer, 4 Star Employer, 3 Star Employer, and Recognized Employer. Not every responding organization made the cut – only those that demonstrated a strong commitment to veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses. Participating organizations included companies large and small, government agencies and departments, nonprofit groups, colleges, and universities.
As the most objective and comprehensive evaluation of veteran employers, the VETS Indexes Employer Awards program has set a new standard in veteran employment data. Our award results have been featured on CNBC, as well as military-specific outlets, including Military.com. This in-depth survey and recognition program analyzes employers’ policies, practices, and outcomes in detail, across the following 5 categories:
- Veteran job candidate recruiting and hiring
- Veteran employee development and retention
- Veteran-inclusive policies and culture
- Support for members of the National Guard and Reserves
- Military spouse/family support
UAPD is fortunate to have a variety of positions filled by veterans, as indicated below.
Micholjon Amado, Corporal, USMC
Benjamin Bordner, Police Officer, USAF
Edward Eismon, Sergeant, USMC
Rene Hernandez, Police Officer, USMC
Todd Kauffman, Corporal, USMC
Colin Keating, Lieutenant, USA
Johnny Lollar, Corporal, USAF
Timothy Lopez, Police Officer, USAF
Estefan Nieves, Police Officer USN
Danny Pickrom, Corporal, USAF
Elvis Sierra, Corporal, USA
Robert Sommerfeld, Assistant Chief, USAF
Andrew Valenzuela, Sergeant, USN
Thank you for your service to all our UAPD Veterans!
UAPD Detective Joe Berriman was recognized on 9/22/22 for his excellence in law enforcement services by the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Lodge 385. Detective Berriman was nominated for this recognition by a peer detective, Courtland Volker.
Congratulations Detective Berriman for this wonderful achievement and keep up the good work!
Congratulations to our very own Melissa Valenzuela and Officer Chase Bryan for being selected as UAPD’s MADD award recipients for their work in reducing impaired drivers and promoting safe roadways.
$11,000 was raised at UAPD's Annual Golf Tournament in May 2022. A check was presented to Special Olympics Arizona.
Thank you to all the sponsors, golfers, and volunteers who helped make this event a success!
We are proud to announce the development of a scholarship by Gamma-Rho of Kappa Sigma fraternity in honor of UAPD Corporal Kevin Barleycorn.
On August 24, 1990, Corporal Barleycorn was killed in the line of duty while responding to an incident at Kappa Sigma on The University of Arizona campus.
Corporal Barleycorn made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our community, & the members of Kappa Sigma have chosen to honor his service & sacrifice with a $2500 scholarship for incoming freshmen.
To learn more about this scholarship, visit the Scholarship Universe site.
