AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department's police academy is back open after City Council gave it the green light only after leaders agreed to give the curriculum a head-to-toe makeover. The year-long hiatus meant many prospective cadets had to wait until the academy restarted. 

That includes Josh Pedroza, 35, who, for the past 10 months, has worked as a liaison within the police department. He said joining the force wasn't a future he saw for himself when he was back home in Los Angeles.

“I grew up with a single mom, eight sisters, another brother. I'm the middle child,” he said.

Pedroza stated that growing up wasn’t easy. He describes himself as someone who wasn't a follower but still managed to stay out of trouble. It wasn't until one fateful encounter with a police officer that changed the trajectory of his life.

“I got kind of attacked by a gang member group. I had a police officer arrive...and he actually treated me very well. And I had a completely different opinion of police officers at that time,” he said.

It was in that moment of vulnerability — after his attack — that the ideas of structure and personal responsibility were instilled in him when that unknown officer reminded him his future was in his hands.

“My environment and my circumstance doesn't have to dictate my future. After that conversation, you know, no father figure or any pretty much role model for that example, I kind of saw myself veering onto a different path,” said Pedroza.

Police relationships with the communities they serve are complicated and Pedroza said he understands the anxiety some may still feel when they see a badge. He understands this, he said, because he's been on that side.

“There would be times I'd be walking down the street and I would get pulled over by the cops...and it created animosity. It created a certain type of resentment, but all it took was that one individual to show me that he cared,” he said.

After Los Angeles, Pedroza continued to pursue professions with built-in structure. He enlisted with the Marines and had the chance to meet world leaders like President Joe Biden and Sen. John McCain. His time with the Marines changed his life yet again.

“A good sergeant of mine, when we were in Afghanistan, he always talked about coming to Austin. He told me about the good things about Austin...so we made a deal that when we got away from Afghanistan, we were going to join. Unfortunately, he got killed in combat, but I started learning more and more about the city. I heard from friends all over from Texas that this is the place to be,” he said.

Pedroza was determined to keep the promise to his Marine brother: to come to Austin and join the ranks of the police department.

But then protests shook the city, the academy was shuttered and police leaders were forced to look within. APD was given an instruction: reimagine the academy for cadets in an effort to make it more inclusive. 

When introducing the class of 100 cadets to the community during a meet and greet, interim Chief Joseph Chacon said he has delivered. The new curriculum is completely reimagined and it will serve as a pilot.

“This is going to look more like a college classroom, very interactive. The cadets are going to have opportunities to ask questions more readily. And we just know that based on research, people learn better that way,” said Chacon.

Pedroza said even despite the complicated last year, he is more determined than ever to pursue this dream and promise.

“Although it may be a tough situation at first, it's our responsibility to prove ourselves to the community and gain that trust once again,” he said.

For Pedroza, it’s a personal responsibility to learn from and connect with the community he intends to serve. That is why he celebrates the pilot program for the new academy.

“It’s a step in the right direction. The change that I see in the curriculum that we're getting under is something that I think is going to really change not only this department, but cause a ripple effect down in law enforcement as a whole,” he said.

Pedroza believes if one person can make a difference, then the 100 men and women in his cadet class can change this city.