The Turlock Police Department took the opportunity to recognize the men and women who have stood out in their duty to protect and serve the community with their annual awards ceremony.
The department handed out awards for Employee of the Year, Officer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, the Excellence Award, along with some special commendations last week.
All the awardees were nominated by their peers and selected by the awards committee.
The Employee of the Year award can be given to any non-sworn employee. The award was bestowed on Crime Prevention Specialist Melanie Suffecool. In nominating Suffecool, her peers praised the work she has done in organizing the National Night Out, the upcoming Community Academy and continuing to help in Property and Evidence while the department looks to fill the position.
One co-worker said of Suffecool, “Melanie is a hard-working employee and very competent in her position. She strives to make the City of Turlock a better place. She has a desire to develop strong partnerships throughout our community and bring credit to the Turlock Police Department. She is friendly, approachable and willing to share her ideas and experience where needed.”
“From the time he began, he has been enthusiastic about his position,” said Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden. “He regularly patrols two to three times per week and has volunteered approximately 400 hours of his time this first year. He took it upon himself to take responsibility of the VIPS vehicles and ensure that they are maintained and fully equipped. He regularly patrols and volunteers for most of the details where VIPS are requested to help, including parades, fair, and role-playing for trainings. He always has a smile on his face and greets everyone when he comes in the office. He has been a great addition to the VIPS program.”
Explorer of the Year was a new category the department created and the inaugural award went to Kyrstien Mathews, who has been an explorer for five years. The Explorer of the Year is selected by the Turlock Police Department Explorer advisors.
“She’s been quiet but very consistent,” said Sgt. Steve Crawford, who oversees the Explorer program. “It’s been nice over the years to see her mature and become a wonderful young lady. She’s actually in college now taking the EMT course.”
Mathews was presented with a $500 scholarship from Jeff and Darla Lopes. Jeff retired from the police department as a captain and Darla retired as the dispatch supervisor. Upon their retirements, the couple relaunched the department’s Explorer program and oversaw it for several years before moving out of state.
“We know you’ll be successful in your future endeavors and you’ll enjoy the new possibilities awaiting you,” Crawford said. “We’re all so proud of you.”
The Officer of the Year award was presented to Officer Richard Fortado.
His colleagues said in his nomination that “Officer Fortado is a committed employee and coworker. As he has finished up his final year in the Traffic Unit, he has maintained a reputation of being a team player by assisting his partners on patrol. Throughout his entire tenure in the unit, including this last year, he was regularly seen volunteering to handle traffic collision investigations which patrol would otherwise be required to handle. He constantly goes above and beyond what is expected of him.”
In addition to serving in the Traffic Unit, Fortado was selected as the Unmanned Aerial Systems Assistant Team Leader.
“I’m truly grateful for this and appreciate my co-workers for voting for this,” Fortado said. “My wife and I met at the city almost 20 years ago at the age of 18-years-old. We knew at that point that we wanted to make the city of Turlock our home and our career. Although we took different paths during our career with the city of Turlock, by faith and habit we both ended up working for the police department. Although I love what I did prior to becoming a police officer I knew this was my true calling.”
The department's Excellence Award is given to a unit or an employee who has done an outstanding job over the year and this year it was awarded to the Code Enforcement Unit, which is comprised of: Supervisor Ruth Hoover; Code Enforcement Officers, Brian Cooksey, Omar Medina; Code Compliance Technician, Nicholas Gutierrez; Staff Services Assistant, Diane Aispuro; Former Code Compliance Technician, Ismael Macias; and Yessenia Del Real, Code Enforcement Officer.
Those in the department that nominated the Code Enforcement Unit said, “The Code Enforcement Unit has done remarkable work this year addressing quality of life issues throughout the city and helping to keep Turlock clean. They spend a great deal of their time patrolling parks, and other hot spots, contacting individuals, cleaning up trash, shopping carts and graffiti. The Code Enforcement team has only been working together for a short time, but they have come together as a strong team of professionals, supporting the Crime Prevention Unit, Neighborhood Resource Officer, and residents of Turlock.”
Another nomination said, “Code Enforcement is faced with many challenges daily and they continue to show their ability to navigate sensitive social issues in our community as well as do their jobs efficiently. They are deserving of the recognition for their hard work this year.”
In addition to the awards, the department presented some special commendations.
One went to Detective Nathan Urban, who has made several recent arrests of suspected identity thieves and retail theft suspects.
“Nate, thank you for persistent efforts in the ongoing problem of Organized Retail Crime,” Hedden said. “This is an issue that is not going away, but we can be appreciative for the impact that Detective Urban has made in our community.”
Detective Gina Giovacchini received a commendation for her recent organizing of a large multi-agency online chat operation that resulted in the arrests of 17 suspected sexual predators.
“Gina, thank you for your hard work in detectives this last four-years,” Hedden said. “As you conclude your special assignment and return to Patrol in February, please know your dedication and compassion to your work in the Investigations Unit did not go unnoticed.”
The awards committee surprised Hedden by presenting him with a commendation for the changes he has initiated at the department and the work he has been doing to connect the department and the community.
In presenting the commendation, Officer Greg Roton praised the chief’s open door policy, his efforts to connect with everyone at the department and his commitment to incorporate personnel’s family into the police department family.
“It’s things like that, that have contributed to an extreme value environment,” Roton said.
The department also recognized the hours the VIPs have provided with some special presentations. Given honors were:
George Plisko – 2080 Club Award, Plaque, 2080 pin, “2000” Epaulet and Presidential Silver Award Certificate.
MaryAnn Jorge – Presidential Gold Award Certificate, “2500” Epaulet.
Scott McCaskill – Presidential Silver Award Certificate
Carolyn Plisko – Presidential Bronze Award Certificate
John Auletto – “1000” Epaulet
Geoffrey Bradshaw – “1000” Epaulet
Russell Garman – “500” Epaulet
The Awards and Nominations Committee was comprised of: Chairman Joe Dusel; non-sworn representative Lilia Franco; TAPO representative Greg Roton; TCEA representative Chandra Hopson; TMAPS representative Dave Shaw; and Sara Bickle, the board coordinator.
