Southern Utah University Police Department welcomes 2 new officers

CEDAR CITY — Southern Utah University Police Department recently welcomed two new officers onto its force.

L-R: Southern Utah University Police Chief Carlos Medina, officer Efrain Ruelas, officer Christian Estill and Lt. Justin Chappell, Cedar City, Utah, Oct. 20, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Officers Efrain Ruelas and Christian Estill were sworn in by SUU Police Chief Carlos Medina on Oct. 19 during a short ceremony held at the department’s headquarters.

Ruelas recently transferred from another police department in California, while Estill is a rookie who recently completed his POST training. 

Medina first thanked the officers’ family members and friends who were in attendance.

“I feel like we’re very family-oriented,” Medina said, adding that the officers’ families are key to their own success as well as that of the department. 

“It’s the families behind the officer. It means a lot,” the chief added. 

Medina also read from the law enforcement code of ethics, saying that an officer’s fundamental duty is to “serve mankind, to safeguard lives and property, to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder.”

Officers must also respect citizens’ constitutional rights, he added.

“That is very important to us,” he said. “That we make sure we treat everybody with the same respect, regardless of who they are, background or nationality.”

The addition of Ruelas and Estill means that the department now has five full-time officers, Medina noted, adding that at least two more are needed before they are considered fully staffed. Eventually, he said, the department hopes to bring that number to nine.

For information on how to apply, visit SUU Police’s employment page on the university’s website.

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