Beyond the Badge, CDCR Weekender, Community Involvement

Recruiters honor memory of Martin Luther King

January 25, 2025

CDCR recruiters honored the memory of civil rights leader Martin Luther King by walking in the 43rd annual March for a Dream in Sacramento.

On Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day, a diverse crowd of thousands at Sacramento City College.

CDCR participants included:

CDCR’s Peace Officer Recruitment Unit
San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
Sierra Conservation Center
and California State Prison, Sacramento.

Leaders share inspiring stories

Martin Luther King march at Sacramento City College with recruiters. — CDCR recruiters from three institutions and the Peace Officer Recruitment Unit took part in the Martin Luther King Day March for the Dream on Jan. 20.

Group of CDCR recruiters at Martin Luther King Jr. Day march in Sacramento. — CDCR recruiters from three institutions and the Peace Officer Recruitment Unit took part in the Martin Luther King Day March for the Dream on Jan. 20.

The march kicked off with community leaders sharing inspiring stories. Speakers included Attorney General Rob Bonta, Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and others.

Following the speeches, participants walked together in a 4.3-mile loop.

The presence of CDCR staff at the march underscored the importance of community engagement and the department’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

By participating in the march, CDCR staff demonstrated their dedication to building bridges of understanding and promoting social justice in the community.

“I have been at the MLK walk the past few years and the atmosphere is always amazing. MLK was an inspirational leader and focused on bridging the gap,” said San Quentin Warden Chance Andes. “As a department, bridging the gap and inclusion of all is a top priority. This event brought CDCR teams together to be one with the community. This is community policing at its best. I am thankful for those who came out to represent.”

The 43rd annual March for a Dream was a powerful demonstration of unity as well as a call to action for the community to continue working toward Dr. King’s vision of a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

For more information on CDCR’s statewide recruitment diversity efforts, visit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Peace Officer Careers.

Written by Lauren Hieb, associate governmental program analyst
Peace Officer Recruitment Unit