Antioch swears in three new Police Officers on Thursday

New Antioch Police Officers Corey Blumberg, Jacob Ewart and Rishi Negi are administered the oath of office by Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen as Chief Allan Cantando looks on, during a ceremony on Thursday, July 30, 2015.

New Antioch Police Officers Corey Blumberg, Jacob Ewart and Rishi Negi are administered the oath of office by Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen as Chief Allan Cantando looks on, during a ceremony on Thursday, July 30, 2015.

By Allen Payton

On the day that thousands turned out at the Oracle Arena for the memorial service of Hayward Detective and Brentwood resident Scott Lunger, three new police officers took the oath of office in Antioch, Thursday afternoon.

Corey Blumberg, Jacob Ewart and Rishi Negi were sworn in to their new positions by Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen during a brief ceremony attended by their family, friends, fellow officers and council members at the Antioch Police Facility in downtown.

Chief Allan Cantando gave each of them the opportunity to speak.

Rishi Negi gets his badged pinned on his uniform by his father Rajan.

Rishi Negi gets his badged pinned on his uniform by his father Rajan.

Thank you to my wife and parents for putting up with me, supporting me through all the tests and physical agility,” Blumberg said. “And to the city of Antioch for giving me the opportunity and believing in me that I can do this career.”

Ewart spoke of the academy being a “very stressful experience.”

I want to thank you for supporting me and Chief and the City of Antioch for believing in me,” he stated.

I want to thank my mom for getting up each day and making me breakfast,” Negi said to laughter of the audience. “And to my girlfriend…for sending me motivational stuff.”

Cantando then shared his thoughts.

During the conversation I had with these men before the ceremony, we talked about the events of today,” he said, referring to Lunger’s service, which he attended. “They’re coming to a department where our officers are amazing. Our Field Training Officers are second to none. In a city that has challenges with crime, they are here to help them succeed. You have a supportive city as you start a fun, long, but challenging career.”

Very few get to be sitting where these gentlemen are sitting today. They are the cream of the crop,” said Cantando. “We are not going to lower our standards to hire more officers. Because that’s when problems happen.”

We are a family and we care about our own and we want everyone to go home at night,” he added.

That brings the total number of sworn officers on the Antioch force to 90.

According to Cantando, there are two more recruits currently in the academy who will graduate in November and two laterals from allied agencies, who are undergoing background check. Those last two could be on the force in the next two months.


the attachments to this post:


Rishi Negi is pinned by his father Rajan


New APD Officers take oath


One Comment to “Antioch swears in three new Police Officers on Thursday”

  1. Arne says:

    These are three very outstanding young men and it was an honor to administer the Oath of Office to them this afternoon.

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