Two Hermiston police officers return from basic training

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, February 3, 2026

HERMISTON — Two new Hermiston Police Department officers recently completed a 16-week training course and are back at work with the department.

Officers Cody Sherman and Natalie Cazares graduated Jan. 30 from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training in Salem. The graduation followed their completion of 16 weeks of training at the Basic Police Academy.

Sherman joined the HPD in August 2025 and Cazares joined the department in September. Both reported to the academy on Sept. 22.

Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston said the 16-week academy is a requirement all new officers must complete.

“When I was hired in 1997, the academy was eight weeks long,” Edmiston said. “Over the course of many years the training has increased to what it is now, 16 weeks.”

During the academy, Sherman served as a member of the Honor Guard, presenting the nation’s colors, and Cazares earned the Outstanding Health & Physical Fitness Award, recognizing her exceptional physical conditioning, health, and survival skills.

Officers returned Monday for more training

Both officers returned to the department on Feb. 2 and began the Field Training and Evaluation Program under the guidance of specialized field training officers.

Edmiston said the FTEP is the department’s internal program in which officers go through three phases. He said each phase increases their workload and responsibilities.

“The basics are learned at the academy and then FTEP is where we really implement the ‘Hermiston’ way of policing,” Edmiston said. “Each community across the nation is unique and therefore each law enforcement agency operates to the norms and demands of that community.”

The new officers will work closely with a field training officer, Edmiston said. In Phase 1, the field training officer does 90% of the work. During Phase 2, the new officer takes on half of the responsibilities. In Phase 3, the new officer takes on 90% of the workload.

“The officers then go through a couple of days in a check-out phase with a supervisor before I release them to solo duties,” Edmiston said.