Officer Oscar Fregoso began with the Lake Oswego Police Department on March 2, 2020, then started his 16-week Basic Police Academy at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) in Salem on March 16.  One day later DPSST made the difficult decision to suspend their multiple classes  due to COVID-19 and all attendees were sent back home to their respective agencies. Oscar spent the next several weeks with the LOPD training division working on basic skills, then was assigned a Field Training Officer and began his training out on the road.

On July 6 Officer Fregoso returned to DPSST to resume his basic police course.  The academy took extra steps to promote social distancing which included students and staff wearing protective masks and those housed in dorms living in single-occupancy rooms.  Upon his return Oscar worked hard and was voted class leader by his classmates.

On September 10 while much of Oregon was affected by the massive fires burning throughout the state, DPSST allowed their students to return home if needed to help their families evacuate.  Officer Fregoso’s family was in a level three evacuation zone and he left temporarily to go assist them. The following week Oscar told us that training was once again affected at DPSST as the smoke was too thick in the area.  All outdoor classes had to be postponed and the students were limited to indoor classroom work only.

Despite all the obstacles, Officer Fregoso’s class graduated on October 22 and Oscar was asked to be the class speaker.  Typically graduation draws hundreds of family, friends, and co-workers, however once again due to COVID restrictions no one from outside was allowed to attend. Oscar noted that despite all the hurdles, he enjoyed his time at DPSST and made connections that will likely follow him throughout his career.  Officer Fregoso is back in Lake Oswego working with a Field Training Officer and will likely be ready to work solo early Spring of 2021.