This year’s Chamber of Commerce Police Appreciation Awards Luncheon held a little more significance than usual. The Police Officer of the Year, Employee of the Year and Partnership Award were again part of the event, but this marked not only the 30th year of the luncheon, but the 50th year of the department itself.
Several former Los Alamitos Police officers were in attendance, including the current Cypress Police Chief, Jackie Gomez Whitley, who was once a young cadet in the Los Alamitos Police Department. Another hallmark of the event was the presentation of a large framed art piece that was presented to the department by the Los Alamitos Police Officer’s Association.
The frame included a picture of the current police department staff on one end and a black and white picture of the eight men who comprised the first LAPD staff in 1962 on the other end. The center contains the various badge designs and uniform patches that have been worn by LAPD over the past 50 years.
Los Alamitos Police Chief Todd Mattern spoke of the history of the department, which has grown from five sworn officers to its current 23. Those officers are complimented by a variety of support staff and police aides, all of whom must take on a variety of duties, Mattern said.
“We all work together to accomplish the department’s mission,” Mattern said.
Part-time Police Aide, David Jenkins was named the department’s Employee of the Year. Jenkins has been with the department since 2006 and assists in duties such as parking control, records bureau and the front counter. Local realtor Pattie Laird was honored with the Policing through Partnership Award, for her work with groups such as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). She also helped design another emergency preparedness group, called Neighbor 4 Neighbor, which helps communities learn how to work together to respond to disasters of all kinds.
“Policing in Los Alamitos has always been about the people,” Mattern said.
But on the front line are the sworn officers, and representing them this year was Officer Kain Gallaugher, who was named this year’s Officer of the Year. Gallaugher, a Los Alamitos Officer since 2006, has taken the lead on the department’s Serious Traffic Accident Response Team, and had become a key component of the Mobile Command Post Team, Technology Team and Firearms Training staff. And, he was recently voted by his peers to be the Peace Officer’s Association Vice President.
Each honree was presented with several plaques and certificates from various entities and groups. Ronnie Guyer was on hand to present certificates on behalf of area representatives, Assemblyman Jim Silva and Senator Tom Harman. Los Alamitos Mayor Troy Edgar presented awards on behalf of the City of Los Alamitos and Los Alamitos Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman John Osborn presented awards from the Chamber. Mattern also presented awards on behalf of Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach.
La Palma Chief of Police Eric Nunez was also in attendance and the La Palma police department provided patrols in the city of Los Alamitos during the event so most of the Los Alamitos Police officers could attend the luncheon.