COCOA POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Yvonne Martinez, Public Information Officer, 321-243-7812

Monday, August 8, 2022 12 PM
Cocoa High Graduate Becomes Cocoa Police Officer
(Cocoa, FL)—A young man who grew up in Cocoa and graduated from Cocoa High School has joined the ranks of the Cocoa Police Department as its newest police officer. Chief Evander Collier IV administered the oath of office to Ellison Gaulding, Monday morning. Officer Ellison Gaulding was sworn in during a special ceremony in the presence of family and friends, members of the police department staff, the mayor and members of city council.
                Officer Gualding, 20, is originally from the Dominican Republic. He moved to Cocoa with his mother when he was 8-years-old. Gaulding graduated Cocoa High School in 2019. He worked at Home Depot for a while before he met Officer Salley, who persuaded him to go to the police academy and become a Cocoa Police Officer Trainee. Gaulding graduated the academy at the end of July and officially begins his duties today.  “Ellison, as a former teacher of yours, it does my heart wonders to see you do great things,” said Mayor Mike Blake. “Greatness awaits you, young man! Welcome to Team Cocoa.” Chief Collier added, “I really see a future in this young man here and I believe he’s going to do well.”
                Officer Gualding will spend the next few months in training, learning the department’s policies and procedures. He will then be placed with a field training officer to learn all operational procedures of the job. Upon successful completion of the training, he will be assigned to a squad and deployed for solo patrol duties.