Preston Pohler, Lieutenant

Lt. Preston Pohler has over 18 years of service at the Denton Police Department, with over 10 years in various supervisory positions. Having served in patrol for several years, including time on SWAT, Crisis Negotiators, and as a Field Training Officer. Lt Pohler was promoted to Sergeant in 2015 and then Lieutenant in 2018. He has served in many areas during his time, including Patrol, Traffic, SRO, CRO, PIO, Downtown, Special Events, and Emergency Management. He currently has the privilege of serving as the department’s Training Commander, overseeing Recruitment & Hiring, our regional Basic Police Officer’s Academy, the Field Training Officer program, and all department training.
 

Lt. Pohler completed his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2009, along with a master’s degree in public administration in 2020, both from the University of North Texas. He is also a proud graduate of the FBI National Academy #287 in 2023 and the LEMIT Leadership Command College #102 in 2025.

Rachel Valarezo, Sergeant

Sergeant Rachel Valarezo serves as the Academy Supervisor and Field Training Coordinator for the Denton Police Training Academy. Under her leadership, 61 recruits have graduated from the Academy, and nine Denton PD Officers have graduated Field Training.
 

Prior to her promotion, Sgt. Valarezo served Denton PD as a Patrol Officer from 2018 to 2023. She graduated from the Dallas Police Academy in 2011 and served Dallas PD from 2010 to 2018, where she was promoted to Senior Corporal and became a Field Training Officer in 2015.
 

Sgt. Valarezo has served as a TCOLE Basic Instructor, ALERRT Instructor, ABLE Instructor, and Field Training Officer. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas.

Todd Kidwell, Officer

Todd Kidwell is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over 35 years of service at the Denton Police Department. Currently serving as a Training Officer, Kidwell coordinates the department’s Basic Peace Officer Course Program and instructs a wide-range of law enforcement topics. Over his career, he has completed more than 1,700 hours of specialized training, earning both the Master Peace Officer and Instructor Licenses. His experience spans crime scene investigation, school resource officer duties, community policing initiatives, and youth education programs such as DARE and GREAT.

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He holds a Master of Forensic Science with distinction from National University, a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree in criminal justice with a minor in Psychology from Dallas Baptist University, and an Associate of Arts and Sciences from Dallas Community College.

John Landolfo, Officer

Officer John Landolfo serves as an Academy Coordinator for the Basic Police Officer Course.  In this role, he is responsible for the planning, coordination, and administration of all training programs within the police academy. This role ensures that all recruits and sworn personnel receive high-quality, legally compliant, and up-to-date training in accordance with state and departmental standards.
 

Officer Landolfo has been with Denton PD since 2011. During that time, he served as a patrol officer, Field Training Officer, and detective for the Special Victims Unit.
 

In addition, he holds training certifications as a TCOLE instructor, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing instructor, OC-Presidia Gel / Less Lethal Instructor, Taser Instructor and ALERRT Level 1 Instructor.