OCSD AR 2023-24

HOW I SERVE

Sergeant Mike Padilla joined the Sheriff’s Department nearly 25 years ago and first served as a Sheriff’s Special Officer before becoming a deputy. He earned a position as a motor officer and eventually began working as an instructor. It was then that Sergeant Padilla found a love for training and dedicated his time to help peace officers expand existing skill sets and build new ones. In February 2023, Sergeant Padilla was assigned as the Firearms Training Unit (FTU) Sergeant where he led the redesign of the Firearms Training Center. “The FTU’s mission is to deliver the best firearms equipment and training possible to sworn members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The FTU is dedicated and prepared to work alongside anyone seeking to achieve a higher level of personal performance through dynamic training and obtainable goals. This is a dream job and I’m truly blessed to work with such hardworking and dedicated staff members.” Sergeant Padilla said the key to effective training is teaching with humility and never settling into a routine. Making training engaging, motivating and challenging keeps our personnel prepared to serve. “At the end of the day, we are only as strong as our training program. I’ve learned my sole purpose as a Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, coach or mentor is to have those influenced by my experiences and teaching surpass me in every way possible. I can’t think of a greater compliment than to watch those I helped surpass me.”

30 MASTER FIELD TRAINING OFFICERS

– Sergeant Mike Padilla

ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 | 21