Ten SPPD Reserves, one full-time Officer take Oath of Office

Ten SPPD Reserves, one full-time Officer take Oath of Office

By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Police Department
Published: March 12, 2010

Ten Santa Paula Police Reserves and a full-time Officer took the Oath of Office when they were formally sworn in at the March 1 City Council meeting, a ceremony that also meant the Reserve program has almost reached its goal of full authorized strength.

Police Chief Steve Mackinnon told the council, “Periodically I come here every nine months to a year to ask you take a few minutes to swear in officers,” most of whom have already been “on duty on the streets.” The ceremony, he added, also provides family members the opportunity to witness the swearing in.

Mayor Jim Tovias administered the Oath of Office to SPPD Reserves Brad Pollard, Eric Burnett, Tim Halloran, Russell Rawson, Daniel Cardoza (who started his SPPD career as one of the department’s first Explorers and was honored as the local program’s first Explorer of the Year), Corey Baker, Todd Aguilar, Bradley Cohn, James Szabo and David Strautman. Also taking the Oath of Office was full-time SPPD Officer David Keathley.

Following the swearing in MacKinnon said, “It’s a tradition for ceremonies like this to allow a loved one to come up” and place the badge on their officer, symbolizing the family support required for those who choose a career in law enforcement. The ceremony, noted MacKinnon, “brings our Reserves up to 29; we have one more slot to fill” to reach full authorized strength of 30 Reserve officers.

“Last year we had almost 5,000 hours” of active duty filled by volunteer Reserves, “equivalent to five full-time police officers,” which MacKinnon said represents an annual cost-saving of about $500,000. The council allowed the SPPD “to expand up to 30 Reserves... this has a significant impact to the community” in crime fighting as well as costs saved. In tough fiscal times, said MacKinnon, the SPPD Reserve program “really gives you bang for your buck.”