Spring 2021 Scholarship Recipient

Carmen Aguilera attended the Napa Valley College Basic Police Academy and graduated with Class 112 on June 12, 2021. She is a graduate of Park University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Criminal Justice Administration.

Carmen is a Sacramento County native and originally attended California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), to pursue her degree in Business. After 3 years of attending college and while working part time at CSUS, she met a Navy recruiter and decided to serve her country. She honorably served 12 years in the United States Navy as a military law enforcement officer. Carmen completed six deployments and served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. After leaving military service in 2018, she worked for a short period as a background investigator for the Defense Counter Intelligence and Security Agency.

“In May 2020 I actively began pursuing my career in law enforcement. I knew I wanted to continue serving and helping the community. It has been my lifetime calling and I wanted to continue dedicating myself to public service. That same year, the City of Novato hired me and sponsored my attendance to the Basic Police Academy. I am extremely proud to be part of the Novato Police Department in northern California and look forward to serving the people and representing the LGBTQ+ community.”