Columbia Southern University (CSU) recently recognized Jose Coronado of Queen Creek, Arizona, for his remarkable efforts as a patrol officer with the Chandler (Arizona) Police Department.
Coronado was recognized as the university’s 2025 Outstanding Law Enforcement Professional for his work to reduce gang violence.
“I am currently assigned as a gang liaison officer, having received my training through the Mesa Police Department’s Gang Liaison Officer School. I have utilized this training to conduct numerous Gang Member Identification Cards (GMICs) on individuals new to our city and to criminal justice,” he said.
Coronado is a student at CSU seeking his associate degree in criminal justice, and so far, he has learned a lot from the program such as “discipline, time management, and the value of continuous learning.”
“Balancing my coursework with full-time police work pushed me to stay focused and organized. It reminded me that growth doesn’t stop once you leave the academy,” he said.
After the academy, Coronado worked for the Gila River Police Department, where he began his law enforcement career in 2019. His journey all began when he was a kid growing up in Mesa, Arizona.
“Day after day, I watched police officers work tirelessly to remove gang members from our neighborhood. Seeing them constantly in my community inspired me to become one of them when I grew up,” he explained.
Coronado has won several professional awards including the 2025 James R. Snedigar Public Service Award from the Chandler Chamber of Commerce in recognition of his dedication to public safety.
Coronado said receiving the Outstanding Law Enforcement Professional Award “means a lot to me because it reinforces that the hard work, dedication, and compassion I put into this job make a difference. I don’t do this work for recognition, I do it to help people and to make my community safer. Still, it’s incredibly rewarding to know that those efforts are seen and appreciated.”
The Outstanding Law Enforcement Professional Award was established as part of National Crime Prevention Month in October to recognize CSU’s criminal justice students and graduates for their commitment to safety, professionalism and their accomplishments in the field.
For more information about CSU, visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu.
Disclaimer: These testimonials may not reflect the experience of all CSU students.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes.
CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
