HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan expressed her appreciation to the department and the new officers for their work in keeping HISD schools safe.
Cordova administered the oath of office to the group of 13, who then had their badges pinned on their uniforms by a family member or friend.
Newly promoted sergeants include Ramon De La Rosa, James Hayes, Sonia Quintanilla, Otis Simmons, Shane White, and Justin Williams.
New HISD police officers include Ashley Babers, Steven Bennett, Christopher Castacio, Gilbert Lozano, Arturo Resendiz-Trejo, Jasmine Ross, and Julenda Lewis-Burton.
Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby challenged the new officers to engage with students.
HISD Board of Education President Diana Davila and Trustee Jolanda Jones also expressed support and appreciation for the officers.
With over 200 officers currently on the force, the HISD Police Department responds to more than 80,000 calls per year, covers more than 300 square miles in the Houston area, and is the only accredited public school district police department in the nation, a designation awarded by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.