Monthly Report
April 27th, 2023
Emphasizing Organizational Priorities
- Leadership Stability
- Officer J. Gonzalez of Avenal was promoted to Acting Senior Officer, ensuring leadership development.
- Cecilio Velasco was sworn in as the Chief of Police for the City of Avenal.
- Senior Police Officer Herring, with over three decades of law enforcement experience, was hired and sworn in.
- We retained Acting Captain R. DeLeon as an Acting Captain to ensure continuity in leadership. Additionally, we assigned Acting Captain E. Rij to provide stable leadership as we navigate through this transition and intensify our recruitment efforts.
- Recruit and Retain the best
- We hired Avenal local Officer Sophia Lopez, who proudly graduated in Avenal Police Department uniform, was sworn in, and is currently in field training.
- We extended an employment offer to Irma Soto, who is expected to start on March 4th. Soto brings over 10 years of law enforcement experience.
- We may hire an additional police officer in March if all goes well.
- International Model of Community Trust
- I engaged with Avenal business and community members on King Street.
- Officers participated in Tamarack Elementary School Kindness Week, reading to students.
- I introduced myself and addressed the Reef-Sunset Unified School District board meeting in Kettleman City.
- We continued engagement through social media platforms.
- We conducted outreach with transients.
- Amongst the safest cities in America
- I met with the Sheriff and other Kings County Chiefs to discuss various topics, strengthening our partnerships for the benefit of all communities within the county.
- I conversed with Kings County Detectives who have been assisting our department with investigating some of the more serious crimes in our city. From our conversation, I understood they have been diligent in their efforts.
- Embrace wellness amongst our employees
- We are reinforcing the importance of a positive working environment among staff.
- Efforts to publicize resources are still ongoing.
- Department employees continue to use our newly equipped Fitness Room.