The University of Houston-Downtown Police Department (UHDPD) recently welcomed three new officers and celebrated the promotions of two veteran members of the force at a special ceremony held in the One Main Building’s TDECU Tour Room.

Officers Julia Gonzales, Carlton Mosley and Jon-Pierre Stewart were given the oath of office by UHDPD Chief of Police Michael Benford. The chief also announced the promotions of Casey J. Davis to assistant chief and Ricardo “Rico” Reyna to the rank of sergeant. During the ceremony, family members of the officers pinned them with their new badges.

“We are excited to have officers Gonzales, Mosely and Stewart as part of our team,” Benford said. “Assistant Chief Davis and Sgt. Reyna have served in key roles in the department and I am looking forward to working with them in their new leadership positions.”

Meet the New Officers

Gonzalez is a Houston native and Westbury High School graduate. She worked in the financial services industry for 14 years before attending Houston Community College (HCC) and the University of Houston. Officer Gonzalez attended the UHD Police Academy and graduated in 2018.

Mosley began his law enforcement career in 2014 as a detention officer with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. He decided to further advance himself in the law enforcement field and graduated from the HCC Police Academy in 2018.

Stewart graduated from Aldine Nimitz High School in 2002 and enlisted in the Navy, serving from 2007-2014. He then earned his associate’s degree in criminal justice from Lone Star College and graduated from the police academy prior to joining UHDPD.

About Asst. Chief Davis, Sgt. Reyna

Assistant Chief Davis has served as a licensed peace officer for 15 years. His law enforcement experience includes working in institutions of higher learning, local school districts and as a deputy constable in Harris County. He received his undergraduate degree in English from UHD in 2003, his master’s degree in Education-Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston-Victoria in 2012 and is currently a student at the Texas Southern University School of Public Affairs pursuing a doctorate in Administration of Justice. He holds his Master Peace officer, Public Information Officer and TCLOSE Instructor certifications. He is also is a graduate of Sam Houston State University’s Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas Leadership Command College, Class No. 79. He is a current member of the Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA), The Texas Crime Prevention Association (TCPA) and the Texas Chapter of FBI.

Sgt. Reyna’s relationship with the UHDPD began in 1989, when he served as a UHD Police Explorer. In 1995, he joined the department as a dispatcher and became a patrol officer two years later. Reyna eventually became one of the department’s field training officers and was eventually promoted to the rank of corporal. Over the years, he has trained many patrol officers, dispatchers and security officers.

To learn more about the UHDPD and its services, visit the department website.