Community members and members of the Los Alamitos Police Department gathered last week to honor the efforts of two of their own, at the 33rd Annual Los Alamitos Police Appreciation Luncheon on March 11, at the Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse at the Navy Golf Course.
The officer of the year and civilian employee of the year were the honorees of the event, with retired Cypress Police Chief Rick Hicks acting as the guest speaker. Officer Brent “Mal” Malatesta was recognized as this year’s officer of the year, while Police Aide Amanda McDowell was chosen as the civilian employee of the year.
Hicks opened his speech with the acknowledgement that there is often a disconnect between police departments and the public, but noted that that gap has been closed in Los Alamitos.
“The evidence of positive and profound policing exists right here in Los Alamitos,” Hicks said.
Los Alamitos Police Chief noted that part of the impact that Malatesta has had on the Los Al community has been his efforts in community policing. Mattern noted that while on a call that turned out to be a simple dispute between and business tenant and landlord, Malatesta went beyond his required intervention to try and resolve the matter.
Malatesta went so far as to invite the two parties to meet with him for coffee on a follow-up day to make sure the two were finding a reasonable resolution.
“What Mal brings to us is just outstanding people skills,” Mattern said.
Prior to joining the Los Al PD, Malatesta worked for the Hermosa Beach PD and served with the US Army in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Malatesta thanked his family for support and being in attendance, noting his father, who was a Medal of Valor winning police officer before retiring. As for himself, he simply acknowledged how much he enjoyed his job.
“I love being a police officer, I love serving the public and I love serving Los Alamitos,” Malatesta said.
Mattern called McDowell a great asset and noted the multiple duties she has performed for Los Al PD. He also called her one of the best cupcake makers that he knows.
“Mandy just does anything we ask of her and she does it with great enthusiasm and talent,” Mattern said.
McDowell said that she has received great training and assistance from both her co-workers and her family. And she admitted a motive with the cupcakes.
“I gave him [Mattern] cupcakes to say all those nice things about me,” McDowell quipped back.